asked the Minister for Lands if, in connection with the Wildlife Bill, 1975 and prior to its consideration by the Dáil, he will circulate a memorandum setting out in tabular form any information available to him in regard to the numbers and whereabouts in this country of the following classes and species of wild life: amphibians, common newt, common fowl, natterjack toad, common lizard, hedgehog, pygmy shrew, lesser horseshoe bat, whiskered bat, Natter's bat, Daubenton's bat, Leisler's bat, pipistrelle, long eared bat, lagonorphs, red squirrel, grey squirrel, bank vole and field mouse.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wildlife Species.
11.
(Cavan): I understand that population statistics for the various species mentioned are not available. However, the position regarding their general distribution is set out in a publication entitled Provisional Distribution Maps of Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals in Ireland which has recently been issued by the Irish Biological Records Centre of An Foras Forbartha. In the circumstances I am not disposed to adopt the Deputy's suggestion.
Perhaps the Minister would ask Deputy Lemass to suggest a way of ascertaining the numbers and whereabouts of field mice?
(Cavan): I am sure Deputy Lemass will read the supplementary question and no doubt will have some bright suggestion.
I read here about the lesser horseshoe bat, whiskered bat, Natter's bat, Daubenton's bat, Leisler's bat, long-eared bat, and they are all bats as far as I am concerned, but what is "common fowl" in relation to wildlife? Is common fowl the ordinary hen?
(Cavan): I imagine the reference is to common wild fowl.
Would the Minister think that foxes would have any bad effect on wild life—outside political life? They do great damage to field mice and so on.
(Cavan): In the Seanad recently I was told that in the course of a year a fox would devour 21,000 mice and 9,000 rats.