Niall Collins
Question:289. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken to stop illegal hunting of deer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36198/14]
View answerThursday, 25 September 2014
Questions (289, 290, 291)
Niall Collins
Question:290. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider introducing a tagging system for deer hunting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36199/14]
View answerNiall Collins
Question:291. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of deer that were killed illegally last year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36200/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 to 291, inclusive, together.
Deer hunting licences are issued by my Department on an annual basis under the Wildlife Acts. On average just over 4,400 such licences have been issued each year in the past five hunting seasons. The hunting season for deer is regulated by the Open Seasons Order, which prescribes the periods for hunting different deer species. These periods vary depending on the gender and age of the deer, which reflects the conservation needs of the species concerned.
In addition, hunters must comply with a range of requirements contained in the Wildlife Acts, which relate to the type of firearm used, the use of vehicles, hunting at night and the use of lamps. Persons hunting deer without a deer hunting licence or failing to comply with any of the requirements of the Wildlife Acts would be guilty of an offence. I have no plans at this time to introduce a tagging system in addition to these requirements.
My Department does not have data on the number of deer killed illegally each year. Staff from my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service have, however, carried out an increased number of patrols, including night patrols, where there has been information available in relation to incidents of increased illegal deer killings. Persons involved in such activity may be subject to prosecution. Both staff from my Department and An Garda Síochána have worked diligently on such prosecution cases.