Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
406. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there has ever been a consultation between his Department and an organisation (details supplied) regarding hare coursing. [28606/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has not been a consultation between the organisation in question and my Department 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.
