I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 130 together.
A total of 115 otter hunts were carried out under licence in 1988. Wildlife Officers of my Department were present as observers at 39 of these hunts during the year. The number of otters reported killed was 7.
For 1989, four applications for licences to hunt otters were submitted by the Irish Masters of Otterhounds Association and I have authorised the issue of licences for the four hunts involved.
While the otter is a protected species under the Wildlife Act, 1976, the Act also provides that licences to hunt this species may be issued in accordance with its provisions having regard to the conservation of the species.
I am satisfied that the level of otter hunting in this country is not detrimental to the conservation of the species.