Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2004
109 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the protection which exists for the feral goat; if, in the absence of protective measures, regulations can be introduced to regulate the hunting and killing of many thousands of these goats in the Burren and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13739/04]
View answerI have no statutory responsibility for the protection of feral goats, nor do I have a statutory basis on which I could introduce regulations of the type envisaged by the Deputy governing hunting and so on.
As far as the area of the Burren which constitutes the national park is concerned, its management and responsibility for flora and fauna within its boundaries fall within the remit of the national parks and wildlife service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It would also be for that Department to assess the potential of the Wildlife Act 1976 to afford protection to feral goats.
