Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hare Coursing.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

346 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will confirm that post mortems were carried out following the killing of 37 hares at the national coursing finals at Clonmel, County Tipperary, in February 1992, following which the Irish Coursing Club, reported that a post mortem carried out on the hares by the club showed a high level of worm infestation and coccidiosis; if he has received a report on this matter; if so the action, legal or otherwise, which is to be taken against the organisers of the event given that the coursing of sick or injured hares is a contravention of licence conditions (condition 9) and an offence under the Wildlife Act, 1976; if not, his views on whether condition 9 is unenforcible, of no value and should be removed.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

A post-mortem examination was carried out by the Irish Coursing Club following the national coursing finals at Clonmel in February 1992. A report on the meeting in question was received from management staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Services. While a wildlife ranger was in attendance the NPWS did not have evidence prior to the meeting that the hares were sick or injured and further action is not envisaged.

Condition 9 of the licence to capture hares is difficult to enforce due to the problem of ascertaining whether or not a particular hare is perfectly healthy. Nevertheless, I believe that the condition is worth retaining as it places an onus on the organisers to ensure that the hares are healthy.

Officials of my Department are engaged in discussions with the Irish Coursing Club in relation to the investigation being carried out into the recent coursing meeting at Cloonanna. Following the completion of this investigation the overall situation will be reviewed.