Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2023
490. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the over-population of Sika deer in the Glengarriff area; the steps he plans to take in relation to the issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5833/23]
View answerThe Minister for Housing and I launched a consultation on a National Deer Management strategy for deer before Christmas. The consultation remains open until 10th February. I urge anyone that wants to share their views to do so in the coming days. The consultation is seeking the views of the public on the relative importance of any issues associated with deer, potential solutions and potential barriers to their implementation and how these can be addressed.
The Deer Management Strategy Group, chaired by Mr Teddy Cashman, will examine these submissions with a view to direct further discussions with stakeholders in formulating a strategy to manage deer, which will require the input of the various stakeholders. My Department has and will continue provide the leadership in facilitating these discussions. However, the issues of licensing deer culling is an issue for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and not for my Department.
