National Parks and Wildlife Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (478)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

474 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the National Parks and Wildlife Service will confiscate and destroy thousands of unlawful nooski traps recently found to be in possession of a person (details supplied) in County Cork which are unlawful under Section 34(6) of the Wildlife Act 1976 as amended by Section 42 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000; if confiscation and destruction of such traps will be carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service instead of placing the onus on the UK supplier to recover them; if he will address the supplying of such traps here and the facilitation of their sale in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27135/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan)

The use of traps, snares and nets in relation to wildlife is governed by the Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003. The "Nooski Animal Trap" referred to by the Deputy does not meet the requirements set by these Regulations and is, therefore, illegal. Officials of my Department understand that the traps in question have been returned to the UK distributer.