Anyone found to have used bait to poison birds of prey, or other animals such as otters, will face a year in jail, a fine of €5,000 or both.
The measures are contained in new regulations announced today by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
Minister Gormley is making it an offence to use any type of meat, fish or egg as bait to poison birds or animals.
Golden eagles, white-tailed eagles and red kites have been re-introduced to counties Donegal, Kerry and Wicklow and some are beginning to breed.
Yet 12 large birds of prey have been poisoned in the past year leading to concern in Scotland and Norway, which provided the birds to Ireland.
