asked the Minister for Finance if it is proposed to conserve the Sika deer herd in the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park, County Kerry and in the Phoenix Park, Dublin; and, if cropping is found to be necessary, if it will be done in an orderly way.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deer Herds.
45.
Mr. Kenny
Research into the population, distribution and behaviour of the Sika deer at Killarney is in progress. A management programme for the deer, which is a complex problem, will in due course be based on a careful analysis of the results of this research.
The management of the deer in Phoenix Park, which are fallow deer, presents no serious problem.
Is it not true that at least one if not two Sika deer were brought from Killarney to the Phoenix Park about 18 months ago? Did they not survive?
Mr. Kenny
Certainly there are Sika deer in the Phoenix Park.
The Parliamentary Secretary said there were only fallow deer there.
Mr. Kenny
There are Sika deer as well. We must distinguish between the red deer and the Sika deer.