asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the growing scarcity of hares in the Republic and the danger of long term extinction; and if he intends to take any action in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Scarcity of Hares.
46.
Local fluctuations of hare populations are of common occurrence but there is no evidence of which I am aware that the species is in any way threatened with extinction.
Is there any question of the Minister regulating the courses? I am referring to the peculiar method of fencing sometimes used, namely, running fences from hillocks downwards, which does not give the hare any chance of escape. Is there any regulation at all as to the manner in which these courses should be set out?
This would not be a matter for me.
I was just wondering.
We have these hare protection orders under the 1930 Act prohibiting the shooting of hares in certain areas in certain counties.
The Minister appreciates the normal method of escape, running straight. In cases where there is a fence, and a strong hare faces for the hill, the hare very often runs into the fence and is killed on the fence.
Could the Minister tell us if he has any estimate of the numbers of wild species, such as hares, and would he agree that such an estimate would be useful?
I do not have that information in regard to hares.
Does the Minister have it in regard to any wild species?
I have responsibility for making hare protection orders which help the species in certain counties.
If the Minister does not have some estimate of the different species would he not agree that it is very difficult to decide on what species to concentrate from the point of view of conservation?
Under which Minister would the regulation of greyhound coursing clubs come?
Agriculture.