Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jan 1995

Vol. 447 No. 11

Written Answers. - Cancelled Coursing Meetings.

Tony Gregory

Question:

252 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number and location of coursing meetings cancelled to date in the 1994-1995 coursing season; the reason for cancellation in each case; the total number of hares killed to date in the 1994-1995 coursing season, including both open and enclosed coursing events; the total number of hares injured to date in the 1994/1995 coursing season; what happened to those injured hares; and if there is any evidence to suggest a decline in the hare population. [1011/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I am informed that three coursing meetings — County Carlow, New Ross and District and Roscommon United — have been cancelled to date in the 1994-1995 coursing season. The respective locations for these meetings were Fenagh, New Ross and Roscommon. The Co. Carlow and Roscommon United meetings were cancelled following the escape, or release by persons unknown, of the hare stocks. The New Ross and District Club cancelled its meeting as the club was unhappy with the quality and/or health of the hare stock.

Forty-eight hares have been killed at 72 enclosed coursing meetings involving 7,558 courses during the current coursing season up to 15 January 1995. A further 23 hares were injured and had to be put down.

No statistics are available in respect of open coursing meetings.

I am advised by the Research and Wildlife Division of the Office of Public Works that there is no evidence to suggest that there is a decline in the hare population.