Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
639. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether his Department should hold figures in relation to the number of pregnant hares that are released; if he will not issue any licences for the upcoming coursing season, given the concerns about the welfare of pregnant hares (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36604/23]
View answerThe licences issued to the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) contain a number of different conditions that must be adhered to and that are monitored by NPWS staff when they attend any coursing meetings. Two of those conditions relate to pregnant hares. Data that is gathered in relation to hare coursing comes from the ICC reports.
Although hares may be pregnant throughout the year, the season is closed for netting hares during their main breeding season in order to minimise the numbers of pregnant hares that may be caught.
Hare coursing is administered by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) which is a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. Statutory responsibility for the Act resides with the Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine as does responsibility for the Animal Health & Welfare Act.
