PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS IN IRELAND. (Hansard, 7 May 1903)

THE EARL OF MAYO

My Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government why notices with regard to the Wild Birds Preservation Act, Close Season (Ireland), have not been posted up for the last three years on all the Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks in Ireland. It is felt in Ireland that the posting of these notices tends very largely to the preservation of wild birds, as it enables people in out-of-the-way districts to know what the law is. In August, 1901, the noble and learned Lord, the Lord 8 Chancellor of Ireland, replying question which I put to him, said— In July, 1899, my noble friend asked the Irish Government for information with reference to the protection of wild birds, and he was then told that the constabulary were specially and fully instructed by general circular in May, 1899, to enforce the Wild Birds Protection Acts. I believe that has been loyally carried out. I therefore beg to ask the Question standing in my name.

§ LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

I hope the noble Earl will accept the answer from me in the absence of my noble friend who represents the Irish Office. In reply to the Question, the Irish Office say that in May, 1899, the police throughout Ireland were instructed to enforce the Wild Birds Protection Act 1880, as amended by the subsequent Acts of 1881 and 1894. The police, at the same time, were instructed to endeavour to have these statutes obeyed by first warning persons detected of offences against the law, and, where a warning was ineffectual, the facts of the case were to be reported to the local police officers for instructions with a view to the institution of proceedings. Placards were also posted up outside each constabulary barracks informing the public of the danger they would incur by offending against the law. It has not since been considered necessary to renew the posting of these placards. Prosecutions have been undertaken by the police under the provisions of the Act in each year since they were instructed to enforce it. In 1899, six prosecutions were instituted, resulting in two convictions; in 1900, the same number of prosecutions resulted in one conviction; in 1901, three prosecutions were instituted, resulting in three convictions; and in 1902, four prosecutions resulted in four convictions. The police are thoroughly alive to their duties under these Acts, and the Irish Office are not of opinion that the repeating of these notices will make the police more vigilant. At the same time I am asked to add that if the noble Earl who put this Question has any evidence which goes to show that the Act is not strictly enforced and will supply it to the Irish Office, or to Lord Denbigh, who 9 represents that Office in this House, immediate inquiry will be made, because it is the desire of the Office, and they have, they believe, the active co-operation of the police, to see these valuable Acts enforced as thoroughly as possible.