Peter Barry
Question:60 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Finance the scientific evidence which was available to him in order to rescind licences for otter hunting.
Written Answers. - Otter Hunting Licences.
The scientific evidence available to me in regard to the otter population indicated that it is a threatened species in Europe while being stable in Ireland.
Ireland is one of the few remaining countries in Europe where the otter population is relatively stable at present. The threats to the otter in Ireland include drainage, pollution, in particular pesticides and road casualties. Hunting puts additional pressure on the otter in this context.