Hare Coursing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 June 2022

Wednesday, 29 June 2022

Ceisteanna (48)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

48. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider refusing the granting of hare coursing licences for the 2022-2023 coursing season taking into account the ongoing suffering, stress, injury and death caused to hares at coursing meets and concerns of the spread of the HD2 virus and as a protected species in Ireland; if he will provide an update in relation to the monitoring of the RHD2 in hares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34769/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department has received an application from the Irish Coursing Club for licences to capture and tag hares for the forthcoming 2022/23 hare coursing season. This is being considered at present, and a decision will be made on the application in due course.

Following initial concerns about the potential impact of RHD2 on the Irish hare after the disease was first reported in the wild in Ireland, the number of records declined significantly. Only two positive records were recorded in 2021 - one hare and one rabbit  - and one rabbit in 2022.  Nonetheless the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, together with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, are continuing to monitor for RHD2 in the wild in Ireland.

Question No. 49 answered with Question No. 44.