Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2023
129. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the NPWS national survey on the prevalence of RHD2 in rabbits has been completed; what the results of that survey were and their relevance to hare populations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14210/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing 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 - with one further record in a wild rabbit notified to the Department since then. 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 any unusual mortality events in hares in the wild in Ireland.
