605. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has engaged with Hedgerows Ireland and other environmental organisations regarding proposals for enhanced legislative protection of hedgerows; whether consideration is being given to incorporating such proposals into the National Nature Restoration Plan or forthcoming amendments to the Wildlife Acts. [74140/26]

606. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the review of the Wildlife Acts; whether proposals to strengthen the statutory protection of mature, historic and ecologically significant hedgerows are being considered; whether his Department has examined the provisions of the Protection of Hedgerows Bill 2024; and the anticipated timeframe for bringing forward legislative proposals in this area. [74139/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 605 and 606 together.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is currently undertaking an important project to update wildlife legislation. This includes the Wildlife Act 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and significant regulations made under these provisions. The project is examining closely the effectiveness of legislation in protecting wildlife and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity.

This is a complex undertaking, and will be carried out in a number of phases. A first round of public consultation was undertaken in 2024. These submissions are published at the following address:

www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/public-consultation-on-review-and-update-of-wildlife-legislation-submissions/

Many aspects of wildlife legislation are being examined as part of this project, including the protections that should be applied to hedgerows.

A key focus of the initial phase of the legislation update will be on strengthening the enforcement of wildlife crime. Legislation covering this area is currently being prepared. It is anticipated that a draft scheme will be submitted to Cabinet in Q1 of next year.

I met with representatives of Hedgerows Ireland in March of this year to discuss their proposals. My Department also met with representatives of Hedgerows Ireland in 2023 as part of an early engagement process. Approximately 20 other stakeholders from the farming, hunting and environmental sectors were also consulted at that time. A submission was received from the organisation as part of the first round of public consultations in 2024. All proposals gathered by my Department as part of the detailed process of updating wildlife legislation will be considered.

In relation to the Nature Restoration Plan, Ireland submitted a draft Nature Restoration Plan Template in the format mandated by the EU on 1 September - the deadline set out in the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. This template, an early-stage technical draft, focused mainly on setting out baseline information, available data and existing measures rather than a final programme of restoration actions.

A detailed explanatory document is being developed to accompany the publication of the draft NRP. The intention is to publish the draft plan in November with additional material.

A phased process will now commence to develop the final plan, including dialogue with the EU, together with extensive stakeholder engagement and public feedback helping to shape the final document for submission to European Commission in 2027.