Animal Culls

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023

Tuesday, 21 November 2023

Questions (199)

Paul Murphy

Question:

199. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware of a report (details supplied) relating to the planned cull of rabbits at Derrynane National Park, which recommends that fenn traps are not used due to the suffering they cause, as well as non-compliance with the Wildlife Act 1976, that the proposed shooting of rabbits using certain rifles is not carried out because "neither weapon is suitable for culling rabbits", and which highlights the "significant welfare concerns associated with ferreting rabbits"; and if so, if he will act to stop the cull. [51012/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

The Office of Public Works is continually looking at options to successfully manage the landscapes and properties in a way that is beneficial to wildlife and biodiversity, particularly at locations such as Derrynane, which contains wildlife habitats protected at a European level that require protection. I can advise my officials issued a tender for services for a proposed rabbit cull at Derrynane, on the advice of ecologists, who are finalising a report on the sand dunes at Derrynane. There is no timeline for delivery of the services in the tender documents as culls of this nature are determined by weather conditions. As previously advised, it is envisaged that the controls may be undertaken sometime between 1st November 2023 and the end of January 2024.

The Office of Public Works will follow the advice received from expert groups. It should be noted that the Wildlife Act of 1976 relates to protected species, and that rabbits are not a protected species.