I propose to take Questions Nos. 268, 277, 278 and 291 together.
My Department has been informed by the Irish Coursing Club that all hares that had been held in captivity by its affiliated clubs have now been released.
As regards hare release by coursing clubs generally, the current license granted to the Irish Coursing Club to net hares under Section 34 of the Wildlife Acts provides that “All hares must be released back into the wild during daylight hours at the conclusion of the meeting or the day after the coursing meeting has concluded, unless otherwise agreed with the relevant National Parks and Wildlife Service staff beforehand”.
It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any matter which is currently before the Courts.