Licences and Legislation

Licence

A licence is needed to keep in your possession any protected wild animal or bird

Animal Species Protected Under the Wildlife Acts

Mammals Amphibians Reptiles Invertebrates
Badger
All Bat species
All Deer species
Hare species
Hedgehog
Otter
Pine Marten
Red Squirrel
Dolphin species
Porpoise species
Seal species
Whale species
Pygmy Shrew
Stoat		 Natterjack Toad
Common Frog
Common Newt		 Common Lizard
Leatherback turtle		 Freshwater crayfish
Freshwater pearl mussel
Kerry slug

CLICK HERE for a Licence to Keep an Injured or Disabled Protected Wild Animal or Bird

Post: print, fill in and post the appropriate licence to:
Wildlife Licence Unit
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Department of Housing
90 King Street North
Smithfield
Dublin 7
D07 N7CV

Phone: (064) 662 7300
If you need clarification regarding the type of licence you need, call the Licensing dept on (01) 888 3242

Legislation

  • Irish Law – a few examples:
    • Wildlife Act
    • Flora (Protection) Order
    • The Planning and Development Act
    • Whale Fisheries Act
    • Restrictions on Use of Poison Bait
  • EU Directives – a few examples:
    • Birds
    • Habitat
    • Water Framework
  • National Biodiversity Plan
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The full ‘Acts/Orders’ can be found in the ‘Legislation & Conventions’ section of the National Parks and Wildlife Service website: www.npws.ie or click HERE
Or you can search the Irish Statue Book at www.irishstatutebook.ie