Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
390. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a licence is required for the hunting of Irish hares with packs of hounds and if so, how many licences have been issued over the past five years; and the recipients of the licences and how many hares have been killed in hunting during that period. [10036/24]
View answerUnder Statutory Instrument 550 of 2005 - Wildlife (Wild Mammals)(Open Seasons) Order 2005, hares may be hunted, with packs of beagles and harriers from 26 September each year and ending on 28 February in the year immediately following, without the requirement for a separate licence.
On dates outside of the Open Seasons Order, a licence may be granted, under section 26(2) of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended, to the master or other person having charge for the time being of a pack of beagles or harriers to hunt hares. No applications have been received for such licences over the past five years.
