Vol. 423 No. 1
131 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Finance if a survey of the wild hare population was carried out before issuing licences to coursing clubs to enable them to legally net wild hares for the coursing season; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the hare is a listed species and that there is a shortage of hares this year, a fact which is acknowledged by members of coursing clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
135 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Finance if he will revoke the licence he has issued to the Irish Coursing Club or withdraw the licence from those clubs who have violated the terms of the Wildlife Act, 1976.
136 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Finance the action, if any, he proposes to take in relation to the breaches of the Wildlife Act, 1976, at the National Coursing meeting in February, 1992.
137 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Finance if he will avail of the power conferred on him by licensing condition number 3 to ascertain when and where the hares were captured by coursing clubs (details supplied) before the issuing of the licence permitting the netting of hares for the new coursing season; and if he will direct that those hares netted before the licence was granted be released.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 135, 136 and 137 together. I am aware that the hare is a protected species under the Wildlife Act, 1976. However, a number of traditional hunting practices, not involving firearms, are permissible in relation to this species, under the Act. The National Parks and Wildlife Service, Office of Public Works, is satisfied that the conservation status of the hare species is satisfactory and that the species is not under threat.
No formal survey has been carried out but in view of concerns expressed, I have had discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service regarding the feasibility of carrying out a national survey of wild hares.
