Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 November 2015
227. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of gun day licences that were given out to a gun club (details supplied) in County Sligo in the 2014 to 2015 season by An Garda Síochána, for deer hunter day licence, and for bird hunter day licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42127/15]
View answerWild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. There is an annual open season during which deer can be legally shot under licence issued by my Department. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to the last day of February, depending on the species and gender of deer. My Department has no record of granting deer hunting licences to the gun club in question for either the 2014/15 season or the current 2015/16 season.
In relation to the hunting of birds, there is an open season for the hunting of certain game birds which operates generally from 1 September to 31 January, depending on the species. A separate licence is not required from my Department to hunt these birds during the open season provided the individuals are in possession of a Firearms Certificate issued by an Garda Síochána. However, individuals do require a licence from my Department if they are hunting either animal or bird species during the open season on State foreshore. Again, my Department has no record of granting foreshore licences to the gun club in question for either of the last two hunting seasons.
I should point out that deer hunting and foreshore licences may have issued to individuals who are members of the club in question but there is not a requirement for such individuals to declare if they are members of a gun club.
My Department does not issue gun day licences for either deer or bird species.
