Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
881. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline for introduction of legislation to address hunting of feral goats in Ireland; the current regulations that exist in relation to this activity; and the protection that will now be afforded to the old Irish goat which was recently granted native rare breed status.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38843/22]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for legislation concerning hunting in Ireland. My Department recently recognised the Old Irish Goat as a Native Rare Breed. This recognition follows the work of the Old Irish Goat Society over to a number of years involving the characterisation of the breed, including DNA analysis. My Department has contributed financially to this work and on-going projects of the Old Irish Goat Society. Whilst I acknowledge the Deputy’s concerns on hunting of feral or wild goats, this is not within the remit of my Department.
