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State Property.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 March 2004

Tuesday, 30 March 2004

Questions (354, 355, 356, 357, 358)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

467 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 272 of 3 March 2004, there is evidence extant that would demonstrate that his predecessor only agreed to a joint review of the issue of shooting on State lands by a scientific group on the basis that it was without prejudice; if evidence exists, if he would make it available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9738/04]

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Emmet Stagg

Question:

468 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy and reasons instructing his open season orders for the hunting of various game birds and which are detailed in annexe 11 of the 79/409 birds directive; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such orders and annexe 11 lists indicate that hunting of the listed species is sustainable hunting and that this applies to State owned lands equally with privately owned lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9739/04]

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Emmet Stagg

Question:

469 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that lifting of the ban on hunting on State-owned lands using a ministerial open season order would not be in breach of any international commitments entered into by Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9742/04]

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Emmet Stagg

Question:

470 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he would disclose the names of the experts and describe their qualifications in his Department whose advice he accepted and which led to him continuing the ban on hunting on State lands thereby rejecting the report of the scientific group consisting of persons (details supplied) being nominees of the Minister on the scientific group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9743/04]

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Emmet Stagg

Question:

471 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a Deputy (details supplied), being mandated by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, announced to the National Association of Regional Game Councils AGM in Cavan in October 2003 that the Minister would allow a return to shooting on State lands on a trial basis; if he would explain the reason for the reversal of this declared policy position and if the Deputy was informed in advance of the change in policy; if he would indicate the reason for the change of policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9744/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 to 471, inclusive, together.

The substantive reasons for continuing the prohibition of game-shooting on State lands used for conservation purposes have been set out fully in reply to Question No. 4 of 4 March 2004 and to Questions Nos. 264, 272 and 273 of the same date.

As explained in those replies, these reasons extend beyond the considerations of species sustainability addressed by the report of the scientific group and involve issues of amenity for the wider public, conservation of habitat for other, non-quarry species, and public safety. On the same basis, the reasons for the continued ban on hunting on lands managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department go beyond the species sustainability criteria to which open seasons orders have regard.

It is clear that my predecessor, in agreeing to the establishment of a scientific working group, did so without prejudice to the ultimate and wider determination of policy on the matter. This is borne out by my Department's record of the meeting of 4 January 2002 with the National Association of Regional Game Councils, a copy of which is being sent to the Deputy.

There has been no reversal of policy at any stage in the consideration of this matter. The decision which I have recently communicated about continuing the ban on hunting in State conservation lands is consistent with long-standing policy. Information was erroneously supplied from my Department to a Deputy in October 2003 indicating that consideration could be given to permitting some hunting on State lands on a pilot basis. This information preceded my consideration of, and decision on, this matter which was assisted by senior officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and was concluded in January 2004.

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