780. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason a recommendation (details supplied) was not accepted and implemented in time for the 2019-20 derogation declarations published on 1 May 2019; and if the recommendation will be implemented in time for the 2020-2021 and future derogation declarations. [26797/19]

My Department published a consultants report in October 2018 on a review of the derogation process under Article 9 of the EU Birds Directive. The consultants in their report made a number of recommendations in relation to the annual renewal of the Wild Bird Declarations which my Department will implement having regard to resources and other ongoing priorities in my Department arising from time to time.