Vol. 468 No. 4
274 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the threat posed to red grouse stocks by the approval of commercial operations on the Knockmealdown Mountains; the plans, if any, he has to monitor the damage that may be caused to these species by such operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14946/96]
The principal conservation requirements of huntable species, including the red grouse, are met through the provision of a limited hunting season under section 24 of the Wildlife Act, 1976. Currently, the hunting season for red grouse is limited to the month of September and this restricts the hunting of the species by all hunters, both native and out-of-State. In addition, there are a number of additional controls imposed upon out-of-State hunters who form the principal market for commercial shooting-hunting operations in this country. The conservation controls imposed on such operations provide that shoot operators must submit details of their shooting rights to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department for assessment of their shooting capacity. This ensures that lands are not overshot and hunting licences under the 1976 Act are issued by reference to this assessment. Shoot operators must also submit game bag returns at the end of each season and, in addition, National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers spot check shooting parties and inspect game bags. Hunters must hold a valid firearm certificate and hunting licence, and have the landowner's permission to hunt over the lands. Notices are also issued to all out-of-State hunters advising them of the general Irish hunting situation and rules.
The above controls apply to all commercial shoot operators and I am satisfied that through these controls no undue threat to the conservation of red grouse species will arise through hunting in the Knockmealdown Mountains.
