Better protection needed for hedgerows insists Tipperary-based Hedgerows Ireland leader

Members of the Hedgerows Ireland group,including Tipperary Tipperary representatives,  and Turlough O'Donnell SC from the Climate Bar met online with Minister for State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan and his officials in recent days.

At the meeting  the key roles of hedgerows in the Irish landscape were discussed, and the need for both better financial incentives and protections to ensure their future welfare.

READ MORE: Coolmore linked company is fined for illegal removal of hedgerows

The Minister acknowledged the importance of hedgerows as a valuable habitat and also the value and recognition that communities place on them.

He complimented the Climate Bar, led by Leesha O'Driscoll SC, and Hedgerows Ireland who developed the Protection of Hedgerows Bill, and said he was interested in considering some of the protections proposed in the document in the ongoing review of the Wildlife Act and in the development of Ireland's Nature Restoration Plan.

He also strongly endorsed Hedgerows Ireland's continuing work with DAFM to develop better financial incentives for hedgerow quality and to improve training and education in relation to hedgerow management.

"Though we were disappointed that the Minister has decided not to sponsor the Bill, we fully recognise the challenges faced by elected representatives in implementing environmental measures in the current political climate. And while we strongly endorse both better training and education as well as financial rewards around hedgerow welfare, we are clear that these measures should be complemented by adequate protective legislation for significant hedgerows as outlined in the text of the Bill.

READ NEXT: Planning victory for Tipperary group opposed to demolition of buildings on Coolmore farm

Meanwhile, we are hoping to keep channels of communication open with the Minister and to ask him to consider leading on an initiative we raised briefly with him at the meeting. This would bring together for dialogue all those groups with an interest in hedgerows: farmers, beekeepers, birdwatchers, contractors etc in a 'meitheal' to reach a consensus on the best way to enhance and protect these vital and much-loved landscape features which are such a fundamental element of the Irish countryside," said Alan Moore, the Tipperary based founding member of  Hedgerows Ireland.