1603. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the work of the Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds Forum since its suspension in March 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55160/26]

The Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds Stakeholder Forum was established in 2024 to facilitate engagement with relevant stakeholders with a view to ensuring that the hunting of wild bird species in Ireland is in line with EU and national laws and regulations, through the development of collaborative action and improving mutual understanding and trust.

The Forum has met eight times, seven of which were in-person, with significant commitment from the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department. I am aware of the suspension of the Forum by the independent chairperson to allow for discussion with members around future engagement.

Following this suspension, the Chair notified stakeholders the scheduled June Forum has now been reconvened to September and reaffirmed his belief that the Forum can have a very important role in shaping policy around sustainable hunting of wild birds.

The NPWS remains fully committed to working with stakeholders, as it is only through collective collaboration and trust that we can successfully achieve Ireland’s conservation and sustainable hunting objectives.