Vol. 475 No. 2
72 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht whether a number of Irish red deer were recently shot by departmental staff in the grounds of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, County Kerry; if so, the reason therefore; and the number of animals involved. [4674/97]
73 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the number of Irish red deer shot by departmental staff within and in close proximity to the Killarney National Park, County Kerry in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4675/97]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 72 agus 73 le cheile.
The red deer herd at Killarney is the only indigenous deer herd in Ireland and is accorded full protection under the Wildlife Act, 1976. The general policy objective is to ensure the continued health of the herd and to maintain the population at a level which is compatible with the effective conservation of the natural ecosystem of which it forms part. The herd has increased from dangerously low levels in the 1960s to its present level of 647 animals. The number of animals and their habitats are monitored on a continuous basis both in the uplands and in the lowlands. As a result of this monitoring and in the absence of natural predators the herd appears to have outgrown its range and accordingly it has become necessary to control population levels.
In the season 1995-96 34 red deer were culled. In the current season 1996-97 60 red deer have been culled. Some 21 of the 60 culled in 1996-97 were removed from land belonging to Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. These deer were removed under licence under the Wildlife Act by expert staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department. The deer were removed at the initiative of NPWS staff in line with the policy objectives outlined above and contained in the Killarney National Park management plan.
