News

Publication of Guidance on Applications for Regulation 54 Derogations for Annex IV species and updated Application Forms

Date Released: Wednesday, July 2, 2025

The EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021 provide strict protection for all of the Irish species listed on Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive. It does this by prohibiting certain activities which could impact on the conservation status of those species. Those activities may only be permitted by way of a derogation. Derogations can only be granted in very restricted circumstances, and can only be provided where it can be demonstrated that specific stringent tests are met.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has published new guidance for applicants who intend to apply for such derogations. Secondly, from Tuesday, 1 July 2025 an updated Derogation Application Form will be in use.
The new guidance and updated application form are available on the NPWS website here.

From the 1 July, NPWS will only accept this updated application form and any Derogation applications received after this date using the previous form, will be returned to the applicant with a request to use the updated form.
Applicants experiencing any problems filling in this form, please contact the Wildlife Licensing Unit: reg54derogations@npws.gov.ie.