Vol. 530 No. 5
52 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his Department has investigated reports that hares whose condition gave them no chance of escape were coursed at Abbeyfeale, County Limerick on 1 and 2 January 2001 (details supplied); and if licence conditions were breached. [1183/01]
An official from my Department was at the Abbeyfeale meeting to monitor the event. I understand that two conservation rangers from Dúchas also attended the meeting. Following an examination of the condition of the hares at the end of the first day 15 hares were released and it was decided that the planned second day of the meeting in Abbeyfeale should be abandoned due to the generally poor quality of the hares. Of a total of 48 hares coursed, two hares were reported killed by greyhounds and a further two injured. In addition three hares died in the compound immediately after the meeting and nine hares died subsequently.
The licence and conditions attached to it are a matter for the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
