Leo Varadkar
Ceist:258 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will grant a licence for a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33124/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 6 December 2007
Ceisteanna (259, 260)
Leo Varadkar
Ceist:259 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received enough information from a group (details supplied) to allow him to make a decision on whether to grant a licence for the stag hunt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33125/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.
Section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 provides that I may grant to the master or other person in charge of a pack of stag hounds, a licence authorising the hunting of deer by that pack, during such period or periods as is or are specified in the licence.
The Ward Union Hunt applied to my Department for a hunting licence for the 2007/2008 season. In my consideration of the licence application I raised a number of issues of serious concern with the Ward Union Hunt including in relation to animal welfare, conservation and protection of stags generally and compliance with previous licence conditions. Meetings were held between my Department and representatives of the Ward Union Hunt and correspondence was exchanged with the Hunt in order to convey my serious concerns and provide them with an opportunity to address these concerns.
I have given this matter my careful and urgent consideration and I will come to a definitive conclusion shortly.