Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2015
507. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a report regarding her plans to re-stock the hare population at Bull Island in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16631/15]
View answer510. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware that hares are now extinct on North Bull Island, Dublin 3; if she will re-stock the hare population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16683/15]
View answer514. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware that the Irish hare is feared extinct on North Bull Island; the action her Department is taking to protect wildlife on this internationally recognised nature reserve. [16779/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 507, 510 and 514 together.
Bull Island is monitored regularly by officers from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. Despite these efforts and those of local landowners, the hare population there has remained at very low levels for the past 20 years.
A 1995 estimate put the population at 15-20 animals. Since then there has been some declines, as well as introductions during the 1990s. One current estimate of the population put the number as low as 6, with another estimate at 10-15. Such low numbers are believed to be attributable to a number of potential pressures, particularly disturbance by dogs. I understand that the main landowner, Dublin City Council, is working proactively to raise awareness and address management issues.
While it is a matter for the landowners on the island to consider if they wish to translocate hares there, such a proposal would require a licence from my Department under the Wildlife Acts and, in that regard, it would be important that conditions on the island would be suitable for a reintroduction programme.
