My Department issued licences to the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) on behalf of its affiliated clubs to capture and tag hares for the 2017/18 coursing season. The licences include a large number of conditions relating to the operation of these coursing events and include a condition that all persons involved in capturing hares must have written certification, duly signed by the Coursing Club Secretary or the Secretary of the ICC, certifying that the person is a member of a Coursing Club affiliated to the ICC. This certification must be produced for inspection to a member of An Garda Siochana or an authorised officer of my Department.
I have no information as to any financial dealings involved in the capturing of hares.