Minister accused of endangering Ireland’s few remaining curlews
BIRD experts have criticised the Minister of Arts and Heritage, Heather Humphreys, after an apparent U-turn on the protection of endangered species.
Bird Watch Ireland’s development officer, Niall Hatch, has condemned the proposed Heritage Bill, saying it will further reduce the population of an already endangered species, the curlew, for which the minister had a task force established this year to ensure its protection.
The bill is seeking to extend the legal burning times of gorse and heather on farmers’ land to include all of March. Mr Hatch said extending the burning time would have a detrimental effect on the curlew, pictured, and other species. However, a spokesperson for Mrs Humphreys said: ‘The changes will be introduced on a pilot two-year basis, then reviewed. ‘Controlled burning would be allowed during March in certain areas and only with permission from the department. ‘The bill also introduces harsher fines for illegal burning.’