Holly Cairns
Ceist:431. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his officials have engaged with an organisation (details supplied) concerning hare coursing. [27188/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 26 May 2022
Ceisteanna (431)
Freagraí scríofa
Neither I nor officials from my Department have had engagement with the body referred to in relation to hare coursing.
Coursing is regulated under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. Subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann, hare coursing is managed and regulated by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC). The organisation consists of 89 affiliated clubs from Ireland and Northern Ireland, all of whom are governed by the ICC’s rules and regulations.
The granting of licenses for the netting and tagging of hares is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage – National Parks and Wildlife Service.
It is critically important that those involved in coursing operate in accordance with the regulatory framework and that the welfare of both hares and greyhounds is always at the forefront.