asked the Minister for Finance the number of Kerry cows in the national park, Killarney, County Kerry.
171.
Written Answers. - Killarney National Park.
170.
asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Kerry cows in the national park, Killarney, County Kerry, are not being milked; and the reason there is no record of the milk yield per annum.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together.
The herd of Kerry cattle at present in the national park at Killarney numbers 72, of which 25 are cows. The Kerry cattle are maintained as a traditional feature of the park and for the preservation of the breed from extinction. This is in keeping with internationally recognised criteria for the management of national parks. The cattle are not retained for commercial purposes and milking and consequent recording of milk yield does not therefore take place in the park.
172.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of red deer in the national park, Killarney, County Kerry; and if the numbers have increased in recent years.
There are approximately 450 red deer in Killarney. This is a substantial increase since 1970 when a figure of 160 was recorded.