asked the Minister for Justice if he has received a petition or request from the Irish Coursing Club on behalf of an association of Cork Coursing Clubs for a "Hares Protection Order" in accordance with Section 7, Part 1, of the Game Preservation Act, 1930, and, if so, if it is intended to make such an Order.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hares Protection Order.
My Department has been in correspondence with the Irish Coursing Club and with other interested parties with a view to agreement being reached as to the areas in Saorstát Eireann in which it is desirable that the killing of hares (otherwise than by coursing or hunting) should be prohibited. The Irish Coursing Club were requested to put forward their proposals setting out the suggested areas in electoral divisions, but on examination in my Department it was found that the areas proposed in County Cork were not so set out By letter dated the 22nd December last this was pointed out to the Irish Coursing Club and in a reply, dated the 23rd December, it was stated that the clubs affected had been asked to supply particulars of the areas in electoral divisions. These particulars have not yet been received. Recently a proposal has been put forward that a "Hares Protection Order" should be made covering the entire County of Cork. This proposal requires considerable examination as interests other than those of coursing clubs are involved. In particular, I am not prepared to make a "Hares Protection Order" in respect of any area comprising State forest lands, and the proposal must accordingly be first considered by the Minister for Agriculture. However, as the close time for hares runs from the 1st March to the 25th September, the question is not an urgent one. Whether a "Hares Protection Order" is made or not, it will be an offence to shoot hares during the next six months.