Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
826. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 283 and 284 of 17 May 2022, his views that it would be better practice to have coursing specifically detailed in the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 rather than regulation by the organisation (details supplied). [27714/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs detailed in replies to the parliamentary questions referred to, coursing is regulated under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) has confirmed that it has systems in place to underpin the welfare of the animals involved in coursing events. These include mandatory inspections of hares and coursing venues in advance of each meeting. The ICC also ensures that a veterinary practitioner and a control steward are present at each coursing meeting.
Under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility for the issuing of an annual licence to the ICC and its affiliated clubs to capture live hares. Licence conditions include the requirement to have veterinary supervision at every coursing meeting and a number of requirements attaching to the welfare of hares.
In addition, a monitoring committee on coursing is in place, comprising officials from my Department, the ICC and the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS).
Greyhounds involved in coursing are subject to the provisions of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 and the Code of Practice for the care and welfare of greyhounds, published by Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
I am confident that the current regulatory system is effective in ensuring high standards of animal welfare are upheld during coursing meetings. I have no plans to alter the current arrangement.
