Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
175. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 266 of 3 October 2013 and the report that OPW is to commission a cull of wild rabbits at a national park in Kerry; the timeframe of the cull, providing exact dates of when it will start and finish. [44849/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is responsible for the conservation and care of a diverse range of properties across the Country. The OPW works continuously to ensure the successful management of landscapes and properties so as to protect and enhance the wildlife and biodiversity of each location. This is particularly important at heritage sites such as Derrynane House and Park, which encompasses wildlife habitats that are protected under the European Habitats Directive and which require specific management and care.
Further to PQ No.266, I can advise that this office issued a tender for services for a proposed rabbit cull at Derrynane on the advice of expert ecologists who have been commissioned to examine and report on the sand dunes and associated habitats at this location.
Culls of this nature are determined by weather conditions and as such, no definitive timeline has been confirmed. It is envisaged that the controls may be undertaken sometime between 1st November 2023 and the end of January 2024.
