Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017
269. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to provide for mandatory inspection and monitoring by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, of pre-coursing trials of hares; and her further plans to provide also that a vet must be present at all such trials. [41236/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHare coursing meetings are monitored, as resources allow, by conservation rangers and officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department in order to ensure compliance with the conditions of the licences. To date three such trials have already been monitored in 2017. A report on those trials will be published shortly by my Department. The conditions of future licenses issued by my Department in respect of coursing meetings, including the question of coursing trials, will be kept under review in light of any issues brought to my attention by National Parks and Wildlife officials or by others and I will make any changes that I consider appropriate.
