"I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the staff of NPWS, who bravely and tirelessly face these challenges every year. I’d also like to thank the other organisations that my department works in close liaison with - the Fire Services, Coillte, and the Gardaí, who lead on any criminal investigations, and also to the Department of Agriculture, with whom my department engages on a range of matters related to illegal agricultural fires, including the pursuit of cross compliance, where relevant. I’d also like to pay tribute to Local Authorities, who convene Inter-Agency Gorse Fire Groups that explore issues surrounding such fires with a number of agencies represented, including the Gardai.