Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2017
64. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of hare coursing meetings in areas (details supplied) attended by National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47711/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe hare coursing meetings referred to by the Deputy were not monitored by officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department in either 2015 or 2016 owing to resource constraints. Trials in one of the areas were monitored by the NPWS on Saturday 4 November, 2017. The meetings for both clubs for 2017 have not taken place. Where resources allow, local NPWS conservation rangers and staff attend coursing meetings, on a spot-check basis, to monitor compliance with licences issued to the Irish Coursing Club and its affiliated clubs.
