Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
100 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the status of the Irish feral goats in the Burren, County Clare; the plans there are to put in place legislation to protect these goats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16948/04]
View answerI have no statutory responsibility for the protection of feral goats nor do I have a statutory basis on which I could introduce legislation for the protection of these animals. In so 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. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government also has responsibility for the habitats directive and for special areas of conservation, which may also have a relevance to this particular matter.
