Public Affairs
Snails, dolphins, toads and gulls swallow up €4.5m of state cash
Spend included wildlife surveys on natterjack toads and operations to control the growth of highly invasive rhododendron
The state spent around €4.5 million last year on wildlife surveys of species such as natterjack toads, gulls, dolphins and snails. The spend also included monitoring studies of plants like the Killarney fern, and operations to control the growth of highly invasive rhododendron.
Many of the surveys were carried out to comply with the EU’s habitats directive, which protects over 1,000 animal and plant species and 200 habitat types across Europe.
Last year, the state ...
