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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Mar 1988

Vol. 379 No. 5

Written Answers. - Wildlife Licences.

26.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that licences will be granted for 1988 under the Wildlife Act, 1976, to the four hunts affiliated to the Irish Masters of Otterhounds Association.

56.

asked the Minister for Finance the number of licences issued for otter hunting in Ireland for each of the past four years; the general areas to which these referred; the estimated number of the otter population at present; if he intends to issue any further licences for this particular form of hunting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 56 together.

I am at present considering the question of otter hunting licences for the coming season and I shall make a decision on the issue in the near future. In each of the years 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987, four licences to hunt otters were issued. These licences do not restrict the hunts to any particular locality. However, it is the responsibility of the licence holders to gain lawful access to lands over which they may hunt. In practice the hunts are generally confined to the counties of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare and Waterford. No figures are available for the numbers of otters in the country. The species is, however, widespread.

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