Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 7

Written Answers. - County Mayo Deer Population.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

90 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the estimated number of deer in the Tourmakeady area of County Mayo; if he has any responsibility for the animals; if his attention has been drawn to their intrusion on to private farms with some damage as a consequence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Dempsey)

According to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Office of Public Works, it is estimated that the number of deer in the area in question is now about 13. Neither I nor the Commissioners of Public Works have responsibility for these or any other wild animals or damage caused by such animals.

The district wildlife officer recently received a complaint from a local farmer about damage caused by deer to his property. The farmer was advised that he could apply to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for permission, under section 42 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, to kill deer causing damage to his property. To date no application for permission under section 42 has been received by that service and any such application will receive prompt attention.