Hare Coursing Regulation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017

Tuesday, 10 October 2017

Ceisteanna (252)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

252. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if each coursing club affiliated to a club (details supplied) in the 2016 to 2017 season contacted their local ranger to advise them of the locations netting of hares was to take place; if so, if there are records of such contact; if contact has been made by clubs in 2017 to 2018 regarding netting; and if it will be ensured that a directive of the club is adhered to and that records will be kept by NPWS rangers of such contact. [42526/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The current Condition No. 5 of the Licence under Section 34 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended) issued by my Department to the club referred to by the Deputy to capture hares provides that, “details of the numbers and locations of the capture of all hares made by the coursing clubs listed in the schedule attached hereto shall be made to the relevant conservation ranger, on or before the weekend of the meeting for which the hares were captured”. While this does not specifically require pre-notification of the netting of hares, this does happen in some cases although all such details are not formally recorded. The conditions of licenses issued by my Department in respect of coursing meetings 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.