Vol. 503 No. 3
443 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will take into account the domestic nature of the stag hunted by the Ward Union Hunt in the context of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 in view of the recommendations from the Heritage Council and considerable public protest and the banning of such stag hunting in Northern Ireland. [9650/99]
The Deputy will be aware that the Protection of Animals Acts are implemented by the Garda Síochána, with minis terial responsibility resting with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and I have no statutory function in the matter.
As I have already informed the House, I recently received from the Attorney General advice which I sought regarding the issue of licences for carted stag hunting under section 26 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, and I am examining all aspects of the matter in the light of that advice.
