Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 December 2016
139. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of times the NPWS has been present at the release of hares after coursing meetings so far this season; and if there are plans to increase that presence to protect hares from recapture. [40212/16]
View answer140. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the recapture of hares in the vicinity of a recent hare coursing meeting is prohibited with regard to the granting of licences; and if not, if she will make it a condition. [40213/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
Officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department have supervised the release of hares following six coursing meetings this season to date. My Department will continue to endeavour to attend as many meetings as possible, having regard to the resources available and other priority work on hands.
26 conditions in total, which have been developed and refined over the years, are associated with the licences issued to the Irish Coursing Club. These conditions cover such items as
- not coursing hares more than once a day;
- not coursing sick or injured hares; and
- releasing hares in daylight hours after meetings.
There is no condition on licences preventing the recapture of hares in the vicinity of their release location following a coursing meeting.
The various conditions associated with the licences will be reviewed at the end of the current 2016/17 coursing season.
