|
Parliamentary Questions and Answers
Question 1502 - Answered on 29th September, 2010
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he will take against coursing clubs who allegedly breached Section 44 of the Wildlife Act by removing hares from islands without the permission of the landowners (details supplied); the steps that are being taken to prevent a recurrence.
Written Answer. Ref No: 33252/10
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr John Gormley):
My Department has issued a licence to the Irish Coursing Club to capture live hares under the Wildlife Acts for the 2010-2011 season. The licence states that it does not authorise any person to enter on any land without the permission of the owner or occupier of the land. Under the Wildlife Acts my Department can initiate prosecutions against Coursing Clubs where there is evidence that they have entered on lands to capture hares without the permission of the owner or occupier of the land.
My Department is currently investigating a number of allegations in relation to the unlawful capturing of hares by coursing clubs during the 2009-2010 season.
