Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The Wildlife Act 1976 is the principal national legislation providing for the protection of native wildlife and the control of some activities that may adversely affect wildlife. The rabbit is not a listed species under the fifth schedule of the Wildlife Act 1976, and therefore not afforded protection under Section 23 of that Act. Other species not listed in the fifth schedule (and therefore not protected) are rat, mice species and fox.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is working to review and update wildlife legislation, including the Wildlife Act 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and related regulations. The review will examine the effectiveness of the legislation in protecting wildlife, preventing biodiversity loss, and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity.

The review of the legislation is extensive and will be carried out in a number of phases. The first phase is a public consultation, which launched on 27 June and closes on 13 September. In this phase, views on the overall project are being invited. As proposals emerge, further phases of public consultation will be held.

Full details on the public consultation, the scope of the review of the legislation, and how to make a submission, are available at