Our Land, Our Future: Why Ireland's Fire Laws Are Failing Us
As wildfires rage across our hills, from Slievenamon to the bogs of Tipperary, one question keeps coming back to me: why are we still fighting fires with laws from another era? Ecologist and author Pádraic Fogarty put it plainly this week on Morning Ireland: our legal framework around starting fires is stuck where it was 30 years ago. The fines are a pittance, the deterrent is nonexistent, and the land is paying the price.
This is not just about a few bad actors. It is about a system that has failed to evolve. We are a nation of small farmers and big hearts, but we have let our land become a tinderbox. And as the climate shifts, the dry spells lengthen, and the fires grow worse, we cannot afford to wait another decade.
Why Are Ireland's Fire Laws So Outdated?
Fogarty, who has spent years studying our landscapes, says the legislative framework has not moved forward in three decades. The fines for illegal burning? A few hundred euro. The risk of prosecution? Almost zero. In a country where the land is our heritage, that is not a deterrent. It is an invitation to neglect.
Controlled burning is a particular bugbear of his. It is illegal during bird nesting season, from March to the end of August. But outside that window, the rules are fuzzy. The farming community gets mixed messages about whether fire is acceptable or even beneficial. Fogarty is clear: fire should be unacceptable on land, full stop. There is no such thing as a safe burn.
What Wildfires Mean for Our Peatlands and Forests
Our peatlands are our climate champions. They store carbon, hold water, and support unique biodiversity. But they are in an extremely degraded state. They dry out quickly, making them fire vulnerable. Fogarty says we need to keep as much water on the hills as possible. That means restoring our native forests, which are not flammable. In Killarney National Park, the flames just do not enter areas with intact natural forests.
But we have cleared nearly all of those forests from our hills. In their place, we have planted monocultures of conifers. These vast plantations fuel the flames, as we have seen in France and Spain. Fogarty argues we need to transition to different types of commercial forestry. It is not just about trees. It is about the future of our land.
How Wildfires Affect Bees and Biodiversity
Brian Murray, an entomologist and founder of the Micro Wild biodiversity project, told Morning Ireland that wildfires have a massive effect on bees and flying insects. During a heat event, bees struggle to find pollen, nectar, and water. They move back to the nest or hive, but if the conditions persist, they die off.
Bees work best between 14C and 20C. When it gets hotter, the plants stop producing nectar, and the water in the soil dries up. The larvae back at the nest go hungry. Murray says people can help by leaving a tray of water with stones under a plant pot, so bees and hover flies can drink. It is a small act, but it matters.
What Needs to Change in Ireland's Land Management
Fogarty is clear: we need to address our land use issues. The fires we are seeing now are not a freak event. They are the result of decades of poor policy and neglect. We have been dealing with fires at this level for 15 to 20 years, and it is only going to get worse as the climate shifts.
We need to get our forests back into our hills. We need to stop burning land, full stop. And we need a legal framework that actually deters people from lighting fires. Fines in the hundreds of euro are not enough. We need real consequences.
This is not about pointing fingers. It is about taking responsibility. We are a nation that loves its land. It is time we started acting like it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are controlled burns ever safe?
No, according to ecologist Pádraic Fogarty. He argues that so-called controlled fires do not exist and that fire should be unacceptable on land at any time.
How can I help bees during a heatwave?
Leave a shallow tray of water with stones or pebbles under a plant pot. This gives bees, wasps, and hover flies a safe place to land and drink.
What is wrong with Ireland's current fire laws?
The fines are too low and the risk of prosecution is minimal. The legal framework has not been updated in 30 years, making it an ineffective deterrent.