I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.
Officials from my Department were present at the meeting of 15 October 2021 arranged by the club referred to by the Deputy. 3 hares died during the course of the first day of the meeting. A post mortem was carried on the three hares by Athlone Regional Veterinary laboratory on Monday 18 October 2021. The netting licence for this club was immediately and indefinitely suspended pending a full investigation of this matter, which is ongoing.
The control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings and managing the use of hares for that activity, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My responsibility relates to the conservation status of the hare. My Officials were not informed by the club concerned of any alternative arrangements for the stakes that were due to be run by the club during their own meeting.
The remaining hares have since been released, and appeared to be in good health.