asked the Minister for Lands if he proposes to introduce legislation to protect this country's native wild animals and birds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wild Life Preservation.
98.
(Cavan): The Government have recently authorised me to proceed with the preparation of a Bill for the conservation of wildlife, fauna and flora, and the draft heads of legislation have been transmitted to the Parliamentary Draftsman.
Can the Minister give any indication when it might be possible to get the Bill drafted and before the House?
(Cavan): In anticipation of that supplementary question I made inquiries and I regret that I cannot give any accurate information. It is a fairly extensive Bill, running into many sections. I do not think there is any possibility that it will be introduced during this session. I am hopeful that it will be introduced in the next session.
Can the Minister give us a general précis of what the Bill contains?
(Cavan): No. I am not prepared to give a general précis of the contents of the Bill. That is not in accordance with the precedents in this House. The procedure is to wait until the Bill is drafted and circulated.
I agree that it is laudable that our flora and fauna should be preserved. I am thinking of people with land adjoining State forests. These people may have poultry which could be killed by foxes. Would the Minister formulate the scheme in such a way to ensure that the preservation of the wild animals will not be done at the expense of the domestic animals.
(Cavan): That will be borne in mind.