The Green Party has slammed Fianna Fail for supporting the "destructive" Heritage Bill.

Deputy Leader Catherine Martin said the party's decision was "hugely disappointing".

She said: "They had an opportunity to hold this Government to account, an opportunity to safeguard and protect the future of the Irish countryside but they chose to support Fine Gael and in doing so showed disregard and disrespect for our heritage, our wildlife and our biodiversity. They have shown themselves as indistinct from Fine Gael on this issue.

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"I spoke in the Dáil about the dreadful impact this will have on our environment; the countryside will be severely damaged by any extension of uplands burning and hedge-cutting. We have seen the devastating effects this Bill will have already this year – in less than two months, from March 24th to May 22ndr, the Irish Wildlife Trust recorded 97 illegal wildfires in rural areas. 39 of these were in special conservation areas which are protected by EU habitats legislation. This is a sign of things to come when this Bill is enacted.

"The fight against the Heritage Bill is not over yet."

She also previously called on Fianna Fail to help quash the Bill "once and for all".

She said: "We need leadership, courageous leadership, to face down vested interests in order to protect our heritage. Extending the burning season is not leadership. We're calling on the Government to see sense before it's too late, and withdraw the Heritage Bill once and for all."

(CD/MH)