Michelle Mulherin
Ceist:6. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the consultation process for Culture 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39548/15]
Other Questions
Cultural Policy
I would welcome an update on the consultation process for Culture 2025. This is a very important undertaking and body of work. It is very timely. We are all aware of our economic woes but, ironically, it is at times when people are under pressure that we can focus most on what is important about our culture and not only on the superficial. Our society is multicultural. Sometimes people can feel threatened by other cultures, so it is very important to underpin our culture and embrace other people in a spirit of inclusiveness. It is important for the reinforcement of identity, both historically and in a contemporary sense, for creative industries and because of its potential for tourism. I welcome the Minister's undertaking.
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I congratulate the author Kevin Barry on winning the Goldsmiths Prize for literature for his new novel, Beatlebone. This follows his IMPAC award for City of Bohane. Kevin is truly one of our great contemporary writers and I am delighted for him.
At a meeting on 20 June 2014, the Government approved the drafting of a national cultural policy, Culture 2025, which will set out the high-level aims and policies of the Government in this area in the period up to 2025. The broad aim of Culture 2025 will be to reinforce the crucial role of culture in society by supporting the cultural sector and providing conditions that will allow the sector to develop and flourish across all areas of society. Culture 2025 will seek to reflect the modern multicultural Ireland and will be uplifting, accessible, relevant and easy to communicate. To facilitate public consultation on the proposed policy, my Department published a discussion document on 8 August 2015. It followed this up by holding a series of local workshops to enable people across the country to have their views heard. Meetings took place in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny and Dublin. The Dublin event followed the participative world café model and was held under the open public debates programme. More than 600 people have attended the consultation events, and more than 200 written submissions have been received. The closing date for receipt of submissions was 31 October 2015. My Department also established both an expert group and a steering group made up of cultural stakeholders who are having an input into the consultation and drafting process. The feedback from the regional meetings and the submissions received will now be examined in detail as part of the process of drafting the cultural policy. I intend that this will be a high-level and living document to set out the framework of cultural policy for the next decade. I will submit the policy document to Government in due course, with the intention of publishing it early in 2016.
I am delighted to hear the progress that has been made. I like the description of it as a living document, because our culture is living. One issue that is of interest and that is very exciting for many of us in rural areas is our built cultural heritage, which we can still see much of. Moore Street and Dublin have been discussed, but there are many early Christian heritage buildings in Mayo. I would like the document to include cultural heritage hubs, in which we can look at our culture not only historically but in a contemporary fashion, perhaps through the arts. In Mayo, there is a tradition of French Mayo, which commemorates the 1798 landings. There is a lot of history around that. In my town, we are developing a Mary Robinson centre to look at contemporary issues worldwide. We also have the Jackie Clarke library, and I feel this would dovetail very well with Culture 2025. Strategic planning around the empowerment of cultural hubs should be part of the plan for supporting our culture in the future.
Our cultural policy will encompass both our built and natural heritage, because it is all part of what we are. We can look at cultural hubs because it is something that will probably come through the consultation process. I have not had an opportunity yet to look at all the submissions as the process finished at the end of October 2015. It has been a very open process and we have gone right around the country to the different centres I mentioned and have asked their views. I am interested in how we protect and enrich our culture and how we embrace technology, because it will have an impact upon our culture. We need to look at all those areas and be ready and have this policy in place. This is the first time I have ever had a cultural policy, and I want to set high-level aims to protect and enrich our culture and to embrace other cultures. That is very important, because the coming of other cultures helps us to enrich our own culture.
The idea of the hub is that even though we all share similarities in terms of our traditions, culture and background, there are unique defining histories in different parts of the country, for example, the 1798 landings in Mayo.
The more we focus on that, and give a depth and a study to it, the more we make it interesting for tourists, and it also reinforces our own sense of identity or pride of place. That is the attraction we have, and the more exploration and supports we have for that, the more interface there will be. We have many experts who know a lot about these things. It is a question of making the information, the knowledge and the appreciation of it more readily available to ourselves and to tourists. This would reinforce our tourism industry going forward as well as safeguarding our cultural heritage.
It is something we can look at. A cultural hub relates to a specific area. The Deputy is moving into the area of tourism, where we have the Wild Atlantic Way and now Ireland's Ancient East. Perhaps we can have something along those lines, given that different areas have unique connections to culture that other areas do not have. We can certainly look at it.
Commemorative Events
Catherine Byrne
Ceist:7. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the commemorative projects at Richmond Barracks and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin 8, which are being carried out as part of the Ireland 2016 centenary programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39496/15]
I thank the Minister for her statement this morning. I want her to know how excited people living in Inchicore and the wider area are that Richmond Barracks has been picked as one of the main projects in the national programme for 1916. I want to highlight the belief people have that this will become a huge part of the cultural events in the area around Kilmainham Gaol, the courthouse and the wider area in general.
I thank the Deputy for raising the issue again. The Government is supporting eight flagship capital projects for the 1916 centenary year. These will create a lasting legacy of 1916 and will be of huge interest to members of the public. Dublin City Council is overseeing the Richmond Barracks project. It is anticipated that a six-month programme of works will lead to completion of the project in April 2016. The project will see the restoration of specific parts of Richmond Barracks, particularly the building where the 1916 leaders were interned and court-martialled, and the creation of an exhibition and interpretive space and will be a great amenity for the public and for the local community. The contract for the interpretive element has been placed and works are all on schedule for official opening on 2 May 2016. Richmond Barracks is also working with the cemeteries commission to reopen Goldenbridge cemetery and to create a walkway linked with Richmond Barracks.
Kilmainham Gaol is a national monument site in the care of the Office of Public Works and is one of the most popular and heavily visited tourist sites in Ireland. The work on the courthouse is on schedule for completion early in 2016 and it is expected that the building will be opened formally on 30 March. This project will provide an enriched visitor experience and enhanced display of many original artefacts.
I thank the Minister. Work has begun and, just last week, we had an extraordinary day in which people were invited to come to the parish hall with memorabilia to help identify people who had lived in the area when it was Richmond Barracks, Keogh Square and St. Michael's estate. Things are starting to move very fast. Although it probably does not concern her Department directly, I ask the Minister to consider the needs of the whole precinct outside Richmond Barracks, particularly the streetscape, footpaths and lighting. It would be good if something could be done through the Government to enhance these, given that we expect thousands of visitors next year. Given that so much dedication, time, effort and funding has been put into Richmond Barracks, for the opening day there should be a proper streetscape, lighting and footpaths in the precinct to enhance the area even more.
I want to stress how important this project is for people living in the Inchicore area and the wider community. We are grateful it was chosen as one of the main flagship projects for 1916. I want to extend my thanks to the Minister, to whom we have spoken on numerous occasions when she has visited the site, the graveyard and the courthouse. I want to extend to her the appreciation of all in the area.
To be fair, this is a great project with three different stakeholders: the community, Dublin City council and the Government. Great work has been done by the community and the committee, of which Deputy Byrne and other Deputies are members. That great community engagement and buy-in is what makes this project so successful. I was at the opening day, which was a powerful event. What is important about Richmond Barracks is that there are two sides to its history, in that the 1916 leaders were brought there for court-martial while, at the same time, young Irishmen were enlisting to fight in the First World War. It brings it all together and, as we go through the decade of centenaries, it shows how one event impacted on the other, given that they were both in the one building at the one time.
It is a great project. I take the Deputy's point about the streetscape and lighting. There is a steering committee in place and when Dublin City Council, the Department and the committee meet again, this is an issue that can be discussed. All in all, it is a good news story, and the better news is that it will be finished on time.
Cuanta agus Céanna
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:8. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú maidir leis an maoiniú a chuirfear ar fáil leis an obair riachtanach fheabhsúcháin a dhéanamh ar ché Inis Oírr; cén buiséad as a dtiocfaidh sé; cén uair a chuirfear ar fáil é; agus cathain, meastar, a bheidh an obair críochnaithe. [39530/15]
Táim ag iarraidh soiléiriú ar an méid maoiniú atá an Roinn chun a chur ar fáil don obair riachtanach fheabhasúcháin atá le déanamh ar ché Inis Oírr. Cén buiséad as a dtiocfaidh sé? Cathain a mheastar go mbeidh an maoiniú seo ar fáil agus an obair críochnaithe?
Mar is eol don Teachta, is le Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe cé Inis Oírr. Mar aon le cé an Chalaidh Mhóir ar Inis Meáin agus cé Chill Rónáin ar Árainn, tuigtear dom go raibh sé i gceist ag an gcomhairle contae tabhairt faoi obair fheabhsúcháin ar ché Inis Oírr. Ach mar gheall ar an ngéarchéim eacnamaíoch, ní raibh na hacmhainní ar fáil chun an obair a chur i gcrích. Tuigtear do mo Roinn go bhfuil cead pleanála faighte d’oibreacha ar ché Inis Oírr ó 2007 ach nach ndeachaigh an chomhairle contae ar aghaidh leis na hoibreacha de bharr nach raibh soláthar airgid ar fáil chuige sin.
Cé go raibh comhfhreagras idir mo Roinn agus an chomhairle contae maidir leis na forbairtí seo san am a caitheadh, ní raibh aon bhuiséad ar fáil do mo Roinn chun cuidiú leis an gcomhairle contae chun na hoibreacha seo ag cé Inis Oírr a chur i gcrích. Tuigtear dom, áfach, go bhfuil soláthar de €8 milliún curtha san áireamh anois don Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil d'fhorbairt ché Inis Oírr faoin gclár infheistíochta caipitil 2016 go dtí 2021 de chuid an Rialtais. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tá súil agam go mbeifear in ann bogadh ar aghaidh leis an obair ar ché Inis Oírr go luath.
Tá a fhios againn uilig na fadhbanna atá ann le cé Inis Oírr, go háirithe na fadhbhanna sábháilte agus sláinte a chuireann isteach ar iascairí. Fosta tá easpa spáis ann d'iascairí agus do bhádóirí eile ar an gcé. Tá imní mhór ann go dtarlóidh timpiste tubaisteach ann. Ó thaobh an €8 milliún i gclár caipitil an Rialtais 2006 go dtí 2012, an bhfuil aon chinnteacht ann nó an bhfuil eolas againn ar an uair a bheidh an t-airgead sin ar fáil? Mar a dúirt an tAire Stáit, tá cead pleanála faighte ó bhí 2007 ann. I mbliana nó an bhliain seo chugainn a thosófar ar an obair sin nó in 2021? An bhfuil aon idea ag an Aire Stáit ar an uair a chuirfear an t-airgead sin ar fáil? An mbeidh go leor airgid fá choinne an obair riachtanach fheabhsúcháin a dhéanamh ar an gcé?
Mar a dúirt mé, tá an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil anois freagrach as an maoiniú. Aontaím go bhfuil an cead pleanála faighte cheana féin agus tá muintir Inis Oírr ag iarraidh go rachadh an togra seo ar aghaidh. Beidh mé i dteagmháil le muintir Inis Oírr amach anseo. Bhí comhrá agam leo cúpla seachtain ó shin agus tá siad ag iarraidh cruinnithe le mo chuid oifigeach fosta maidir leis an ábhar seo. Tá ceangal de dhíth idir achan dream.
Mar a bhí á rá agam maidir le coiste na n-oileán agus Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe agus Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe, b'fhéidir go bhfuil plé de dhíth le coiste na n-oileán faoi scáth na gcomhairlí sin ar dtús mar tá ról agus dualgas mór ag na comhairlí fosta.
Ag dul ar ais go dtí an cheist oifigiúil a leag mé síos agus a bhí i scríbhinn, níl freagra faighte agam ar leath den cheist sin ag an bpointe seo. Is í an cheist a chur mé ar an Aire, agus níl dabht ar bith ann ach go bhfuil an t-eolas seo ag an Aire Stáit ón Roinn, ná cén uair a chuirfear ar fáil an maoiniú sin. Cén uair a chuirfear ar fáil an €8 milliún seo fá choinne an obair riachtanach ar an gcé? Cathain a mheastar a bheidh an obair críochnaithe? Muna bhfuil an t-eolas sin ag an Aire Stáit, tá sé sin ceart go leor. Is féidir leis é sin a rá. An féidir leis an t-eolas sin a thabhairt chugam, áfach? Sin páirt den cheist a cuireadh ar an Aire Stáit mar is é an tAire atá freagrach as an nGaeltacht. Cé go bhfuil an t-airgead ag teacht ó Roinn eile, níl dabht ar bith ann, agus aithníonn an tAire Stáit é seo, ach go bhfuil seisean freagrach as fosta ó thaobh infreastruchtúr cheantair Ghaeltachta. Bhí na pobail seo i dteagmháil leis an Aire Stáit faoin gceist seo. Is ceist fhíor-thábhachtach í ó thaobh shábháilteacht an phobail sin agus go háirithe sábháilteacht an lucht iascaire.
Le bheith ionraic leis an Teachta, níl an t-eolas agam agus níl a fhios agam cén t-am a bheidh an togra nó an obair ag dul ar aghaidh. An rud is tábhachtaí anois ná an comhrá idir mhuintir Árann agus na comhairlí i nGaillimh maidir leis an mbealach is fearr tabhairt faoin obair seo. Tá coiste oileán faoi scáth an chomhairle contae i nDún na nGall agus tá sé iontach tábhachtach ó thaobh an cheangail idir daoine ar an mórthír agus ar na hoileáin agus an chomhairle contae. Tá mé ag iarraidh comhrá agus díospóireacht idir coiste agus na comhairlí i nGaillimh. Chomh maith le sin, tá dualgas ar an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil maidir leis an airgead. Thug an Roinn sin gealltanas ina chlár caipitil. Tá an gealltanas sin ann ach ní bheidh mise ar an eolas maidir leis an uair a thosófar leis an obair. Tá comhrá de dhíth idir mhuintir Inis Oírr agus mé féin. Fanfaimid i dteagmháil leis na daoine sin amach anseo fosta.
Scéimeanna Teanga
Seán Kyne
Ceist:9. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le cruthú pleananna teanga le haghaidh ceantair Ghaeltachta; agus líon na bpleananna atá forbartha agus curtha i ngníomh. [39555/15]
Cad é an dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis na pleananna teanga le haghaidh ceantair Ghaeltachta? Cad é líon na bpleananna atá forbartha agus curtha i ngníomh?
Mar is eol don Teachta, tá 26 limistéar pleanála teanga Gaeltachta aitheanta chun críche Acht na Gaeltachta 2012. Ó mhí Eanáir 2014 go dáta, tá fógraí déanta i gcomhréir le halt 7(3) den Acht i leith 18 limistéar pleanála teanga Gaeltachta. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh fógraí déanta i leith an 8 limistéar eile roimh dheireadh 2016. I mí Eanáir 2014, foilsíodh trí fhógra i leith na limistéar seo a leanas: Ciarraí Thiar; Cois Fharraige; Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire agus Loch an Iúir. I mí an Mheithimh 2014, foilsíodh sé fhógra i leith na limistéar seo a leanas: Na Déise; Ciarraí Theas; An Cheathrú Rua; Ceantar na nOileán; Dún na nGall Theas; Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, An Fál Carrach agus Machaire Rabhartaigh. I mí Feabhra 2015, foilsíodh ceithre fhógra i leith na limistéar seo a leanas: Árainn Mhór; Conamara Láir; Múscraí; Dúiche Sheoigheach agus Tuar Mhic Éadaigh. I mí Mheán Fómhair 2015, d'fhoilsigh mé cúig fhógra i leith na limistéar seo a leanas: Tuaisceart Dhún na nGall; Toraigh; Oileáin Árann; Maigh Eo Thuaidh; Ráth Chairn agus Baile Ghib.
Ós rud é go bhfuil tréimhse suas le dhá bhliain ag na heagraíochtaí ón dáta ar a roghnaíonn Údarás na Gaeltachta iad chun pleananna teanga a chur faoi bhráid mo Roinne, táthar ag súil go mbeidh pleananna teanga i leith na limistéar a fógraíodh ag tús 2014 á gcur faoi bhráid mo Roinne faoi lár 2016 ar a dhéanaí. Nuair atá pleananna teanga ceadaithe faoin Acht, beidh tréimhse seacht mbliana ag na heagraíochtaí chun na pleananna sin a chur i bhfeidhm le cabhair ó Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an bhfreagra sin. Tá áit lárnach ag pleananna teanga in Acht na Gaeltachta. Cuirim fáilte roimh ráiteas an Aire Stáit faoin dul chun cinn atá déanta. Tá na pleananna tábhachtach ó thaobh thodhchaí na gceantar Gaeltachta. An bhfuil aon phlean críochnaithe fós? An bhfuil an tAire Stáit sásta leis an bpróiseas atá ann chun na pleananna a ullmhú? An bhfuil sé sásta go bhfuil comhoibriú ann sna ceantair agus limistéir Ghaeltachta idir na páirtithe éagsúla? An bhfuil na grúpaí go léir ag comhoibriú sa phróiseas seo? An bhfuil an tAire Stáit sásta go bhfuil dóthain airgid ag Údarás na Gaeltachta? Tá sé seo fíor-thábhachtach chun cuidiú leis an bpróiseas agus na pleananna a ullmhú. An aontaíonn an tAire Stáit go gcaithfí an méid airgid atá ar fáil don Údarás a mhéadú chun na pleananna go léir a chríochnú agus foireann a fhostú chun tacú le bunú agus cur i bhfeidhm na bpleananna teanga? An gceapann an tAire Stáit go dteastaíonn tuilleadh airgid ó Údarás na Gaeltachta chun na rudaí seo a chur i bhfeidhm.
Tá an t-airgead tábhachtach. Chomh maith le sin, tá cuid mhór obair ar siúl ar an talamh le dreamanna éagsúla, go mórmhór dreamanna deonacha. É sin ráite, chuir mo Roinn allúntas de €200,000 ar fáil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta le dhá bhliain anuas chun cabhrú le cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis sa Ghaeltacht. Sa bhuiséad i mbliana, leis an gciste de €1 milliún a bheidh ar fáil, bhí Vóta mo Roinne do 2016 agus airgead ar fáil don straitéis 20 bliain. Tá muinín agam go mbeidh dóthain acmhainní ar fáil chun cinntiú gur féidir leanúint le cur i bhfeidhm chóras an phróisis pleanála teanga. Aontaím gurb é an rud is tábhachtaí ná na hacmhainní atá ar fáil chun pleananna a chur i bhfeidhm. Gabhaim m'aitheantas le hachan dream ar an talamh, ina measc Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge. Tá comhrá mór ar siúl. I mo chontae féin, fuair Leitir Ceanainn, chomh maith le cathair na Gaillimhe agus Daingean Uí Chúis, aitheantas mar bhailte seirbhísí Gaeltachta. Tá mé ag iarraidh daoine, bíodh siad sa Ghaeltacht nó lasmuigh, a bogadh ar aghaidh. Cinnte tá an t-airgead agus na hacmhainní iontach tábhachtach-----
Go raibh maith agat, a Aire Stáit.
-----ach tá muinín agamsa maidir leis an obair atá ar siúl. Labhair mé faoi thrí-----
Go raibh maith agat, a Aire Stáit.
Tá brón orm, a Cheann Comhairle. Ní raibh mé ábalta Gaeilge a labhairt an bhliain seo caite. Tá mé ag dul ar aghaidh leis an gceist seo mar tá sé fíor-thábhachtach ó thaobh an straitéis 20 bliain. Tá díospóireacht oscailte ar siúl anois. Beidh trí chruinniú ann roimh mí na Nollag. Beidh siadsan i nDún na nGall, Gaillimh agus Ciarraí. Ina dhiaidh sin, beidh cruinniú agus díospóireacht oscailte-----
Go raibh maith agat, a Aire Stáit.
-----maidir leis an straitéis 20 bliain. Beidh seans ann ag an am sin bheith páirteach sa chomhrá agus san díospóireacht. Má tá smaointe ag an Teachta agus ag daoine eile laistigh den Ghaeltacht agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht, beidh mé sásta an t-eolas breise sin a fháil. Muna bhfuil-----
A Aire, tá an t-am istigh.
Gabh mo leithscéal, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá brón orm.
Question No. 10 cannot be taken as Deputy McFadden is not present.
Question No. 10 replied to with Written Answers.
Deer Culls
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:11. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her response to the proposed deer cull in Killarney National Park in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39503/15]
I was worried for a moment that we would not have time to talk about Bambi. To be serious, however, this is an important question because a number of serious traffic accidents involving deer have occurred in the Killarney area. The response of the Department has been to authorise the National Parks and Wildlife Service to undertake a cull of red deer in Killarney National Park. This is an issue of concern to many people.
I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for raising this matter. With regard to Killarney National Park, every year, as part of the ongoing management of deer populations within the park, deer numbers need to be reduced. It is intended to commence culling later this month once the rut has finished. This work will be undertaken by qualified and competent National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel of my Department. The proposed cull is no different from what has happened in previous years.
I recognise that the red deer of Killarney National Park and the surrounding area are of national conservation significance and that the subject of culling is emotive. There is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels and in a responsible and ethical manner. My Department routinely carries out localised deer counts on State lands such as in Wicklow and Killarney national parks. I am aware that deer species are increasing in range and numbers. Where appropriate and depending on the count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls need to be carried out to ensure deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.
Park rangers, during their normal daily duties, often take spot counts of deer on the lowlands. Sika deer numbers are not out of control in Killarney National Park and are at much lower densities than can be found in Wicklow National Park. However, the National Parks and Wildlife Service would like to further reduce the numbers of this non-native species. While red deer numbers have not significantly increased in the uplands of the park, lowland numbers have increased and these deer are highly visible. Unfortunately, given that deer cannot be herded like domestic animals, it is not possible to relocate them from the lowlands to the uplands.
I am a little confused by the Minister's reference to a count as I understood the Department had indicated that it did not have sufficient resources to conduct a count. If that is the case, it would bother me as the number of red deer in Killarney National Park is not especially significant. It probably stands at between 500 and 700 and, as such, one would expect the Department to have sufficient resources to count them.
The Minister's party colleague, Senator Paul Coghlan, has expressed concern about the culling of red deer, while others have argued that any such cull would be blind if the National Parks and Wildlife Service was not aware of the numbers involved. We need to consider the history of the red deer, which stretches back nearly 10,000 years before Christ to the Ice Age. As the only native and indigenous deer, there is an understandable public reaction to the possibility of some red deer being culled. Will the Minister explain the position regarding the count and respond to Senator Paul Coghlan's comment that the cull should target the non-indigneous sika deer rather than the native Irish red deer?
The cull is part of the ongoing management of deer populations in Killarney National Park and deer numbers may need to be reduced every year. The proposed cull is no different from what has taken place in previous years. Sika deer numbers in the park are not out of control and are at much lower densities than can be found Wicklow National Park. As I stated, the National Parks and Wildlife Service would like to further reduce deer numbers because lowland numbers have increased and the deer have become highly visible.
On the ongoing management of the deer population, the intention of any cull would be to focus on the red deer populations in Muckross and Knockreer in the first instance. I will clarify the details of the spot counts carried out by park rangers for the Deputy at a later stage if he does not mind.
A number of experts have concluded that a cull is required. Research completed and published in 2012 by Dr. Ruth Carden, an associate of the National Museum of Ireland and the Wild Deer Association of Ireland, highlighted that the native County Kerry red deer herd suffered from low genetic diversity. Dr. Carden outlined in the findings of a four-year research programme by scientists that the herd at Killarney National Park needed to number between 600 and 1,000 animals to be sustainable; otherwise, its health would be at risk from disease and weakening associated with in-breeding. According to a recent statement from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the service estimates the number of red deer in Killarney National Park to be approximately 500. Culls of older red deer are carried out to improve the herd. That is the current position.
It is a good thing that those types of culls are not carried out in politics. One wonders why it is not possible to relocate some of the red deer in Killarney National Park to other State lands. The Minister and I both come from an agricultural background and appreciate the importance of proper husbandry and management of stock. It has always struck me as particularly sad when visiting the Phoenix Park, for example, that the deer one sees in the park are not indigenous red deer. What would prevent the Department from relocating red deer from Killarney and, in so doing, hopefully improve the health status of the deer?
I will raise the Deputy's proposal with my officials. I do not know if relocation is possible and if or how red deer would integrate with the herd in another location. I will consider the issue, however.
As the Deputy noted, Senator Paul Coghlan raised the issue of deer causing traffic accidents on roads in Killarney. I will raise these issues with officials and revert to the Deputy.
I wonder if Kerry deer would get on with Dublin deer. I am afraid the clock has beaten us and we must move on. I apologise to Deputies whose questions were not reached, although I am sure they will receive written replies.
Written Answers follow Adjournment.