asked the Minister for Lands why the season for shooting wild duck (other than mallard), wild geese, snipe and woodcock, all being migratory birds, was curtailed this year for the first time to the 12th February.
Ceisteanna—Question. Oral Answers. - Game Shooting Season.
17.
The open season this year for wild duck (other than mallard) is unchanged from last year.
Changes in the open seasons for 1960/61 were decided on in the interests of game preservation generally and only after earnest consideration of all the representations and advices presented to me, including those representing sporting and farming interests.
Did the Minister receive representations about geese, snipe or woodcock?
The Deputy may not be aware that some snipe and some woodcock mate and breed here.
About one per cent.
That is the Deputy's view. As in every sport, there are divergencies of view.
There is no divergence on the view that the Minister's order this year was nonsense.
There is unanimity that this date is the proper date.