Vol. 495 No. 7
563 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received the final report of the Heritage Council on a comprehensive review of the issue of licences provided for under section 26 of the Wildlife Act, 1976; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20973/98]
The final report of the Heritage Council on a review of licences issued under section 26 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, was received by me on 24 July 1998. Following consideration of the report, I published it on 3 September 1998 along with a comprehensive statement setting out my position in regard to the relevant issues. I am arranging for copies of my statement and of the Heritage Council's report to be forwarded to the Deputy.
564 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of licences, if any, issued for each of the past five years for taking of nests or eggs of specified species of protected wild birds for educational, scientific purposes under section 22 (9) (d) of the Wildlife Act, 1976; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20974/98]
The number of licences issued for the taking of eggs of protected wild birds for the past five years is as follows: 1994, Nil; 1995, 1; 1996, 1; 1997, 1; 1998, 1.
There were no applications to remove nests during the five-year period.
The licences were granted for research purposes and do not compromise the conservation status of the species concerned.
565 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of applications received in respect of licences to hunt specified species of protected wildbirds for the purpose of training gun dogs, for each of the past five years, in respect of her authority under section 22 (9) (c) of the Wildlife Act, 1976; the number of licences allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20975/98]
Details of the number of licences issued in respect of a similar number of applications received for the training of gundogs under section 22 (9) (c) of the Wildlife Act, 1976 for the past five years are as follows: 1994, 6; 1995, 4; 1996, 4; 1997, 5; 1998, 4.
These licences facilitate the training of gundogs for hunting and do not compromise the conservation status of any species.
566 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of applications, if any, received by her Department for the past five years in relation to seeking a licence to kill humanely specified species of protected wild birds for educational scientific or other purposes in respect of her powers under section 22 (9) (a) of the Wildlife Act, 1976; the numbers of these licences, if any, issued; if she has satisfied herself that the conditions of these licences have been properly adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20976/98]
No application has been received in the past five years to kill humanely any protected wild bird for educational, scientific or other purposes.
567 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number and location of all licences issued in respect of falconry of birds of prey of the order falconiformes under section 41 of the Wildlife Act, 1976; if she has satisfied herself that, in the case of each licence issued, the conditions were properly adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20977/98]
Regulations made under section 41 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 entitled Wildlife Act, 1976 (Birds of Prey) Regulations, 1984, provide, inter alia, for the possession and use in falconry and the taking for falconry of birds of prey subject to the granting of licences. There are three types of licences provided for, (i.e. possession licence, falconry licence and taking licence) and details of the licences issued during the current year (to date) are as follows: possession licence, 68; falconry licence, 60; taking licence, 25.
These licences are personal to the applicants themselves and are issued to applicants at their stated addresses. However, in the case of taking licences, the areas in which they can be exercised are limited to a county or a number of counties. I have no evidence available to me to indicate that the conditions attached to these licences are not being observed. However, in cases where such evidence is available, sanctions such as prosecution, revoking or refusal to renew licences have been and will be employed where appropriate.
568 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the applications, if any, lodged for licences for the purpose of exporting specified wildbirds and wild animals under section 53 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, for each of the past five years; the wild birds or wild animals specified in these applications; the numbers of licences, if any, granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20978/98]
The Wildlife Act, 1976 (Control of Export of Fauna) Regulations, 1979 (S. I. No. 235 of 1979) made under section 53 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, prohibits the export, except under licence by me as Minister, of certain specified wild birds and wild animals live or dead (including game species) and specified parts or products of certain wild birds and wild animals. The number of licences issued under these regulations for each of the past five years is as follows: 1993, 50; 1994, 39; 1995, 33; 1996, 45; 1997, 30; and 28 to date in 1998. The number of applications lodged and the species of wild birds and animals specified in the licences is not readily available. However, licences issued to date in 1998 included the following species: peregrine falcon, pheasant (stuffed), pine martin, crayfish, Atlantic cormorant (samples), raven (stuffed), kestrel, common frogs and margaritifera margaritifera (freshwater pearl mussel).
569 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of deer hunting licences issued under section 29 (1) of the Wildlife Act, 1976, for each the past five years; the number of deer confirmed as being shot under this licence arrangement; if she has satisfied herself with the arrangements for the issue of hunting licences; if any applications were refused on the basis of conservation reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20979/98]
Details in relation to deer hunting licences issued under section 29 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 for the past five seasons are as follows:
|
Season |
93/94 |
94/95 |
95/96 |
96/97 |
97/98 |
98/99 (to date) |
|
Licences issued |
935 |
1,026 |
1,233 |
1,348 |
1,499 |
1,350 |
|
Deer shot |
4,340 |
4,749 |
6,262 |
5,817 |
6,099 |
– |
