Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - Wild Sheep and Goats.

Tony Gregory

Question:

362 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on recent media reports (details supplied) regarding the shooting of wild sheep and goats; the criteria for issuing licences in this regard. [23484/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Wild goats and sheep are not protected species and licences are not required to hunt these animals under the Wildlife Act, 1976. Any hunting which takes place would be subject to the prior permission of the landowner concerned.

In relation to press and other reports of organised sheep and goat hunts, this matter has been investigated by officials of my Department. I understand that the hunting holidays in question are based on deer hunting which is regulated by licence under the Wildlife Act, 1976. Inquiries to date indicate that the claims in relation to sheep and goat hunting originate in relation to a request by a local landowner to a visitor to cull an old ram located on his land.