I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 183, inclusive, together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I recognise that the red deer of Killarney National Park and the surrounding area are of national conservation significance and that the subject of culling is quite emotive. There is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels, and in a responsible and ethical manner.
Wild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. It should be noted that while the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department does licence hunting of Deer, my Department does not own the deer population. They roam freely throughout the countryside and are present in many parts of the country. My Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, published Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action in March this year which recommends a series of actions on deer management and conservation in a number of areas including addressing the impact of deer in places where they are widespread. An Irish Deer Management Forum has been established to implement the various actions listed in the Report. The Forum itself comprises representatives from the main stakeholder areas such as landowners, forestry, hunting and conservation organisations as well as representatives from both Departments.
My Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as in Wicklow and Killarney National Parks and I am aware that deer species are increasing in range and numbers. Where appropriate, and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls need to be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.
With regard to Killarney National Park, every year, as part of the ongoing management of deer populations within the Park, deer numbers may need to be reduced. It is intended to commence culling this month, once the rut has finished. This work will be undertaken by qualified and competent National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel of my Department. The proposed cull is no different to what has happened in previous years. Park rangers during their normal daily duties often take spot counts of deer on the lowlands. Sika deer numbers are not out of control in the Park and are at much lower densities than can be found in Wicklow. However the NPWS would like to further reduce the numbers of this non-native species.
While, red deer numbers have not significantly increased in the uplands of the Park, low land numbers have increased and these deer are very visible. Unfortunately, Deer cannot be herded like domestic animals so it is not possible to relocate the Deer from the lowlands to the uplands. Deer are large, mobile wild animals. They will range over considerable areas during an average year in search of food, but herds tend to maintain loose territories which stags will defend. There are herds on the mountains around Killarney and other herds in lower areas around the lakes. There is not enough food on the mountains alone to maintain all the animals so even if all the deer could be moved up the mountains many would quickly move back down to the lower lands to avail of the food there.
With regard to the issue of roads safety, I am of the view that improving sight lines for motorists as well as improved (possibly larger) signage is likely to be the most effective measure to assist motorists in remaining vigilant when driving through areas where populations of deer can be expected. Officials from my Department have discussed this with Kerry County Council and I understand that Kerry County Council have prepared a scheme of works (which includes a number of measures including trimming back of overhanging tree branches, enhancement/relocation of road-side signs, etc.) in this regard.
