Ireland: Public consultation on the review of wildlife legislation

The Irish Minister of State for Nature, Heritage, and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has announced a public consultation to review and update wildlife legislation. This legislation encompasses the Wildlife Act 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, and related regulations. It addresses the protection of birds, certain wild animals, and specific lands, sites, and habitats. The review will cover a wide range of issues, including penalties for wildlife crimes, enforcement measures, licensing requirements, wildlife protection, and habitat protection, among many others. The review will span over several years and will entail several phases of public consultation. The goal is to implement substantial legislative updates by the end of 2027.