Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
214. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if permission was given, overriding the section 42 licence, for pregnant deer to be shot at a location in County Meath on 3 April 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26832/23]
View answerA licence issued under Section 42 of the Wildlife Acts allows for the control of protected wild animals where serious damage is being caused. This can include male and/or female deer. Licence holders are requested to make every effort to avoid shooting pregnant females.
All hunters are expected to humanely dispatch any deer that they hunt. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has approved three deer hunting training courses for all first-time deer hunters, details of which can be accessed on the NPWS website at the following link: www.npws.ie/licencesandconsents/hunting/deer-hunting-licences-2023-2024/mandatory-certification-deer-hunters. As part of this training hunters are taught about the biology and life cycle of the deer species in question which allows them to make informed decisions as to how and when to hunt or cull deer notwithstanding the legal rights of landowners and land managers to protect their farms, woodlands and conservation sites from damage by deer, that impact on their livelihoods and on biodiversity.
