Vol. 455 No. 8
119 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the steps, if any, he is taking to counter the stealing of fallow deer fawns from the Phoenix Park, Dublin and to protect the fawns from attack by dogs in the park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12677/95]
I understand that at present there are approximately 750 fallow deer in the Phoenix Park of which an estimated 155 are fawns. During the fawning season, which lasts from early June to July, priority is given to keeping the deer herd under surveillance. The park rangers are on duty from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. each day while the gardaí in the course of their duties patrol the park at night. To date there is no firm evidence that fawns have ever been stolen from the Phoenix Park.
The park staff are acutely aware of the potential danger posed by dogs to the deer, especially during the fawning season. Although some losses due to dogs cannot be ruled out especially during the night, these losses would be extremely small in the context of the overall deer numbers. All possible steps are taken by park staff to prevent maurading dogs posing a threat to the deer.
The management and conservation of the deer herd is one of the principal objectives of the staff in the Phoenix Park and I am satisfied that they carry out their duties to the highest professional standards. The Deputy will be aware that the Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed park in any capital city of Europe, being some 700 hectares in area. Because of its size and the presence of substantial wooded areas the possibility of theft can never be ruled out fully.
