Vol. 395 No. 5
10 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the number of Greenland white-fronted geese which have been shot in County Wexford since he permitted shooting on 1 November 1989; the method by which he has monitored and controlled the number of geese being shot; and the progress which has been made to purchase an additional 207 acres at the Wexford Wild Fowl Reserve.
The number of Greenland white-fronted geese shot in County Wexford between 1 November 1989 and 1 January 1990 was 435.
Agreements were reached between the Wildlife Service and local shooting interests in the allocation of birds. Policing and monitoring of the goose shooting was carried out by the local wildlife rangers.
Negotiations are continuing for the purchase of additional land adjoining the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve. It is hoped to finalise these shortly.
Would the Minister of State accept that the figure of 435 may be an under-estimate of the number of geese shot given that some hunters may not have declared the actual number of geese shot by them? In relation to the purchase of additional land adjoining the wildfowl reserve, can the Minister give us any date by which the negotiations on the purchase of that land will be completed? They have been ongoing for some time now.
Fairly detailed arrangements have been worked out between the representatives of my Department, the wildlife rangers, the other research people involved in the project and the people who do the shooting. We are satisfied that the number is accurate. As the Deputy is aware, agreement was reached between the various interests involved and the professional staff in my Department to keep the figure at about 450. We hoped to acquire the land much sooner but we ran into certain difficulties. However, we are proceeding as fast as we can but we have to obtain the agreement of the people dealing with us. At present we have about 270 acres and it is hoped to purchase an additional 200 plus acres which would give us a total of about 500 acres. We are endeavouring to have this process concluded as speedily as possible.
I am satisfied from information I have received locally that there was inadequate monitoring of the shooting of the geese. Can the Minister tell us how many full time local rangers are employed? I am totally dissatisfied with his reply to the question on the acquisition of land. On 2 November when this matter was debated in this House he mentioned a figure of five to six weeks before this land could be acquired. I would now remind him that ten weeks have passed and all he can say is that he hopes to have this matter concluded shortly.
I am anxious to facilitate the Deputy in getting information but he may not make a speech.
In any attempt to acquire land the agreement of those wishing to sell it to us has to be obtained. We are endeavouring to obtain that agreement as speedily as possible. At present three wildlife rangers are working in the area as well as some research workers involved in the project. The decisions I make are based on the best possible professional advice available, and on that basis only.
