Wildlife Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024

Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Questions (392, 393)

Paul Murphy

Question:

392. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can explain why a veterinary report form documenting the presence of two pregnant hares at Freshford Coursing Club has been modified on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website to now show that "nil" hares were identified as pregnant at the meeting; who authorised this modification; if he condones it; and if an investigation will be launched to establish if pregnant hares were present and if so, if this breached licence conditions. [10039/24]

Paul Murphy

Question:

393. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will investigate if a pregnant hare who gave birth was among the hares in a coursing compound in Glin, given the number of hares at the end of coursing was one more than the number captured from the wild, if this breached the licence conditions and if so, what action he is taking against the club in question. [10040/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together.

An administrative error was made when the veterinary report for the Freshford Coursing Club meeting was being completed.  A figure of 2 was entered into the incorrect line - 'number of hares identified as pregnant' - rather than on the correct line - "number of hares examined for injuries", directly below. The 2 hares in question were examined for injuries. On receipt of the amended veterinary report from the Irish Coursing Club it was uploaded on the NPWS website. There was no breach of the licence conditions.

Separately during the Glin Coursing Club meeting, an additional hare was detected on Day 1 of the meeting. The Club staff were unable to determine how the hare got into the hare park. The hare was a juvenile, not new born, was not tagged and was not coursed. It was boxed and released with the other hares at the conclusion of the meeting. There was no breach of the licence conditions.

Question No. 393 answered with Question No. 392.