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Wildlife Control

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019

Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Questions (222, 223, 224, 225, 226)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

222. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the fact that the wild deer population of Ireland has dramatically increased and that they are causing devastating damage to farmland and crops and causing a dangerous hazard on rural and national roads particularly in areas of County Tipperary; the status of the Irish Deer Management Forum; when a chairperson will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9883/19]

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Mattie McGrath

Question:

223. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider establishing with local stakeholders, including farmers and local gun clubs county management committees, to implement policies and best practice to deal with the issue of deer management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9885/19]

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Mattie McGrath

Question:

224. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will examine issues affecting sustainable management of wild deer, having regard for human economic interest and farmers in addition to the best interests of deer; if, arising from such examination, she will formulate recommendations to the relevant Departments charged with responsibility for wildlife, agriculture and forestry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9887/19]

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Mattie McGrath

Question:

225. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if culling will be introduced according to best practice guidelines adopted internationally and carried out by licensed hunters and local gun club members who are themselves certified as competent in circumstances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9889/19]

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Mattie McGrath

Question:

226. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Coillte has a deer management plan in place; if not, if one will be put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9892/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 to 226, inclusive, together.

Wild 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. The current hunting season or 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 carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as 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 may be carried out in National Parks to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.

Control of deer on private property is the responsibility of landowners who may apply to my Department for a permission under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts to cull deer where this is necessary outside the annual open seasons. These permissions offer a facility whereby a person can obtain a permit, on a case by case basis, to prevent serious damage caused by individual deer on specific lands. Permissions are only issued where there is evidence of such damage. My Department does not have powers to carry out any such culls.

In 2015 my Department, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, published Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action , 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 was 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. The Report provides for a review of the workings of the Irish Deer Management Forum after three years. Both my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are currently examining the future direction of the Forum and its aims in the context of representation on the Forum, agreed work plans, funding mechanisms etc.

My Department has no role in relation to a deer management plan for Coillte.

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