Vol. 508 No. 1
729 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will rescind the decision made on the licence for a coursing club (details supplied) in County Sligo due to a misunderstanding that occurred at last year's meeting; if a favourable decision will be made in view of the fact all guidelines will be adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18379/99]
The club in question has been excluded from the terms of the licences issued under sections 32 and 34 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, to the Irish Coursing Club for the current season. The club has refused access to ranger staff of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department who had visited their meeting in January 1999 to monitor if the terms and conditions attached to similar licences issued under the Wildlife Act, 1976, and 1998-99 season were being adhered to. I confirm, that having reviewed all the circumstances relating to the incident, the refusal of access to Dúchas staff by the club must be considered a fundamental breach of the practices and procedures in place to monitor the licences issued to the Irish Coursing Club under the Wildlife Act, 1976. While I am conscious of the disappointment among members of the club, I am satisfied, in all the circumstances, that the decision to exclude the club in question, is a fair and reasonable one.
