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Parliamentary Questions and Answers
Question 1062 - Answered on 16 April 2013
Clare Daly, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the digging out of foxes. More...
Question 1068 - Answered on 16 April 2013
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the reported growth of terriermen traffic between the UK and Ireland as stated in correspondence (details supplied); the actions that he intends taking in response to this letter; if he will cease the exchange of terrierwork between the two countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 1076 - Answered on 16 April 2013
Ann Phelan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a consultation process on the Animal Welfare Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 171 - Answered on 30th January, 2013
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the recent attack on, and mauling of, a family pet by hounds of a County Carlow based hunt and in view of the clear and present danger posed by hunting dogs to domestic animals, livestock, pets and so on, if he will ban all hunting of wild animals with packs of dogs in the countryside. More...
Question 527 - Answered on 16 October 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the wording to ban fur farming was removed from the purpose of the Bill of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 during drafting stage; the reason for the removal of the wording and when the wording was removed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 533 - Answered on 16 October 2012
Terence Flanagan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney if he will respond to the following query regarding the Animal Welfare Bill (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 353 - Answered on 18th July, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the accounts that greyhounds tested positive for prohibited substances at two live hare coursing events recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 667 - Answered on 17th July, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which the submissions made and sent to his Department at the end of 2011 regarding fur farming will be assessed; when he will comment on the findings of the submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 147 - Answered on 11th July, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider the use of the funding currently being used in trapping and killing of natural predator for fencing to protect nesting birds of the type used in County Mayo (details supplied) which is enjoying 100 per cent success in keeping natural predators out of a bird breeding site. More...
Question 139 - Answered on 28th June, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of prosecutions taken by the National Parks and Wildlife Services over the past 10 years; the nature of these prosecutions and the number that have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 332 - Answered on 26th June, 2012
Finian McGrath, TD: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan the reason thousands of Nooski traps, unlawful under the Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003, have not been seized by the National Parks and Wildlife Service division of his Department; if he will confirm if the traps remain in the country; and if he will arrange for appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the legislation. More...
Question 474 - Answered on 6th June, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the National Parks and Wildlife Service will confiscate and destroy thousands of unlawful Nooski traps recently found to be in possession of a person (details supplied) in County Cork which are unlawful under Section 34(6) of the Wildlife Act 1976 as amended by Section 42 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000; if confiscation and destruction of such traps will be carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service instead of placing the onus on the UK supplier to recover them; if he will address the supplying of such traps here and the facilitation of their sale in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 156 - Answered on 17th May, 2012
Patrick Nulty, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure the banning of hare coursing and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 163 - Answered on 10th May, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the basis on which he makes the point in a previous reply that killing mink by gas to be humane bearing in mind that Compassion in World Farming state carbon dioxide should not be permitted for the killing of farmed mink and scientific opinion indicates that carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are both inhumane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 613 - Answered on 24th April, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the fate of the carcasses and manure of the five mink farms at which mink are killed; if his attention has been drawn to the environmental and health risks from disposing of carcasses of mink in landfills when mink are killed using barbiturates and that mink can be carriers of the transmissible encephalopathy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 89 - Answered on 19 April 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn if he will address concerns regarding the Irish Greyhound Board offering free school tour outings of the greyhound stadia around the country for students and teachers; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this may encourage the culture of gambling and betting to children as well as the culture of blood sports through the introduction of the hare system as part of the tour package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 24 - Answered on Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Brian Stanley, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if minks, cats and racing horses will be included in the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 159 - Answered on 14th March, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that at the recent JP Mc Manus Irish Cup Coursing at Limerick Racecourse that eight hares were mauled over the three days, proving that muzzled greyhounds can cause injury and death to hares; if he will therefore consider a ban on coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 510 - Answered on 13th March, 2012
Sean Kyne, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill will contain a provision to abolish live hare coursing in view of the demonstrable evidence of the harm, injury and distress that such a sport causes to the wildlife concerned and also in recognition that such a measure would bring Ireland into line with other developed nations including the UK, several other European nations and Australia. More...
Question 164 - Answered on 29th February, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will revoke the licence of a knackery which, located next to a preschool centre for children with special needs and public residences, is apparently in breach of European Communities (Knackery) Regulations, 1996 which state that the owner of a licensed knackery shall, subject to Regulation 11 (1), ensure that the premises of the knackery is adequately separated from the public highway and other premises. More...
Question 369 - Answered on 14th February, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures he is taking to ensure that the Ward Union Hunt does not continue to break the law in relation to hunting deer as per Section 23A (1) of the Wildlife Amendment Act in view of the new evidence which shows that they are continuing to hunt stag in contravention of the ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 301 - Answered on 11 October 2011
Sean Kyne, TD: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on whether the granting of licences to trap hares for the purposes of coursing runs contrary to the spirit if not the letter of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2000, particularly as hares under section 23 are a protected species. More...
Question 303 - Answered on 11 October 2011
Sean Kyne, TD: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of licences granted for coursing of hares in County Galway in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 744 - Answered on 14 September 2011
Joan Collins, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his policy on hare coursing; his plans to ban this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 207 - Answered on 21 June 2011
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider refusing this year’s application from a club (details supplied) for a licence to net hares for the 2011 to 2012 season of enclosed hare coursing or to at least add a number of new conditions to the licence that will eliminate much of the unnecessary suffering to which hares are subjected during the netting phase of the coursing process. More...
Question 398 - Answered on 25th January, 2011
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 13 January 2011, the justification for allowing the use of the Larsen cage trap, the unnecessary and wilful cruelty of which has been confirmed by various officials and organisations. More...
Question 196 - Answered on 13th January, 2011
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ban the Larsen cage trap which has been banned in Denmark due to the stress and injury caused to the captured birds which either die of starvation or are subsequently strangled to death. More...
Question 264 - Answered on 14th December, 2010
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the position taken by National Parks and Wildlife Service to ban the hunting and shooting of wild birds because of the severe weather, if he will consider a similar ban on the hunting of mammals such as fox, hare, deer and so on. More...
Question 302 - Answered on 16th November, 2010
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he granted licences to two coursing clubs (details supplied) to hold coursing meetings on a day not specified in the hares order, that is September 25th, 2010. More...
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. More...
Question 214 - Answered on 19th May, 2010
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he is spending a projected 1,062,425 Euro on mink eradication when a National Parks and Wildlife Service commissioned report states that escapes from fur farms would invalidate any attempts to eradicate feral populations; and if he will instead accelerate the closure of fur farms. More...
Question 782 - Answered on 20th April, 2010
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the method used to destroy the Ward Union deer which collided with a car during the hunt on 11 December 2009; if this was carried out by the Department Vet present at the scene. More...
Question 507 - Answered on 26th January, 2010
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a deer was killed during a hunt (details supplied) on 29 December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 851 - Answered on 19th January, 2010
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of a recent incident involving the collision of a vehicle and a deer during a ward union hunt, he will revoke the hunt's licence on public safety grounds. More...
Adjournment Debate - Answered on 19th November 2009
Mary White, TD: I wish to raise an issue on the adjournment, on a matter of national
importance, namely, the issue of the methodology to replace the culling
of badgers with more humane and effective methods, as part of the bovine
TB eradication programme. More...
Question 391 - Answered on 10th November, 2009
Maureen O'Sullivan: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
his views on the allegations that members of the National Parks and
Wildlife Service breached the civil code of standards and behaviour by
organising shooting holidays for tourists; and if correct, the action he
has taken against the rangers involved. More...
Question 170 - Answered on 24th June 2009
Finian McGrath: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the outcome of his investigation into allegations that members of the National Parks and Wildlife Service have breached the Civil Code of Standards and Behaviour by organising commercial shooting holidays for tourists, and the action being taken against the rangers involved. More...
Question 359 - Answered on 12 May 2009
Finian McGrath: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the complaints from landowners or other members of the public in regard to the activities of a hunt (details supplied). More...
Question 360 - Answered on 12 May 2009
Finian McGrath: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an animal trap (details supplied) is unlawful here under the Wildlife Act 1976 and the action he and the National Parks and Wildlife Service are taking against distributors of this trap. More...
Question 361 - Answered on 12 May 2009
Finian McGrath: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will refuse future licences to a hunt (details supplied) in view of the continuing risk being posed to motorists in Counties Meath and Dublin. More...
Question 362 - Answered on 12 May 2009
Finian McGrath: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of animals destroyed in dog pounds here in 2008 and 2009 along with a breakdown of the dog breeds in question; and if the breeds are not currently recorded, his views on making it compulsory for pounds to record this data. More...
Question 1004 - Answered on 24th March, 2009
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the context of his responsibility for animal welfare and the legal protection of animals from cruelty, he will introduce legislation banning all blood sports including hare coursing and fox hunting. More...
Question 401 - Answered on 10th March, 2009
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce legislation banning all blood sports including hare coursing and fox hunting. More...
Question 426 - Answered on 16th December, 2008
Mary Upton: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status of the Animal Welfare Bill; when this Bill will be published; the stance this Bill will take on hare coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 373 - Answered on 2nd December, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the basis of the decision to specify a five and a half month hunting season in the recent licence granted to a hunt (details supplied). More...
Question 463 - Answered on 18th November, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the reports from wildlife officers at coursing meetings will be made available to a group (details supplied) and other interested bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 232 - Answered on 6th November, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of hares killed or which subsequently died at coursing meetings (details supplied) during October and November 2008; and if this represents an increase on the average at these meetings. More...
Question 73 - Answered on 15th October, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the conservation status of the Irish hare is listed as poor or bad in the context of the EU Habitats Directive following a ruling of the European Court of Justice in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 930 - Answered on 17th June, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will investigate complaints that illegal traps are being offered for sale by a company (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if appropriate action will be taken. More...
Question 270 - Answered on 4th June, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount given to a club (details supplied) in County Leitrim under the sports capital programme 2007; and the purpose of this grant. More...
Question 542 - Answered on 13th May, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 1 May 2008, if it was part of the settlement that a licence to hunt deer will be granted to a hunt (details supplied) for the 2008/2009 season. More...
Question 553 - Answered on 20th May, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will investigate complaints that illegal glue traps are on display for sale at a premises (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if appropriate action will be taken. More...
Question 586 - Answered on 7th May, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of licences he has issued for the snaring of badgers; his views on this control method of the badger population in view of the cruelty involved; if he will liase with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to develop a more humane approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 193 - Answered on 1st May, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the full details of his out of court settlement with a group (details supplied); the conditions by which a licence may be granted for carted deer hunting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 314 - Answered on 5th March, 2008
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the Heritage Council felt it was appropriate to give a grant to a gun club (detail supplied) in County Leitrim under the 2007 biodiversity fund for a Red Grouse habitat survey/habitat management plan. More...
Question 520 - Answered on 4th December, 2007
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will
request a report from the Garda authorities on the allegations of extreme
cruelty to animals (featured in the Irish Independent on 23rd November 2007
involving the Westmeath Foxhounds Club); and if he will make a statement on
the matter. More...
Question 416 - Answered on 4th December, 2007
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will request
a report from her Department officials on allegations (serious breaches of
the agreed code of conduct by Westmeath Foxhounds Club featured in the
Irish Independent on 23rd November 2007); the action she is taking; and if
she will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 45 - Answered on 14th November, 2007
Shane McEntee: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has sufficient information to make a decision on the granting of a stag hunting license to a hunt (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 60 - Answered on 14th November, 2007
Leo Varadkar: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has decided to grant a licence for a hunt (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 137 - Answered on 8th November, 2007
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether the excerpt from the junior certificate book Take the Plunge entitled Poisoning Pigeons in the Park is appropriate material for a school book; and if she will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 574 - Answered on 16th October, 2007
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a hunt (details supplied) have been granted at any time a wildlife dealer's licence. More...
Question 190 - Answered on 27th September, 2007
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his intentions in relation to the re-issuing of hunt licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 1091 - Answered on 26th September, 2007
Eamon Gilmore: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the results of a national hare survey are available; and if the findings point to a further decrease in the size of the hare population or to a healthier and resurgent hare population bearing in mind that Ireland’s red data book on vertebrates lists the hare as one of a number of species under threat from multiple factors, including hunting activities. More...
Question 1092 - Answered on 26th September, 2007
Eamon Gilmore: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will impose a suspension on coursing activities in the event that the hare survey indicates either a significant national decline in hare numbers or widespread localised disappearance of the species. More...
Question 1093 - Answered on 26th September, 2007
Eamon Gilmore: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the fact that the stags hunted by a hunt (details supplied) in County Meath are farmed domesticated deer, and therefore not wild, he will withhold the issuing of a licence in 2007 under the Wildlife Act 1976 permitting stag hunting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 451 - Answered on 27th February, 2007
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of snares laid by her Department officials to snare badgers in 2006; if her Department has received complaints that other wildlife and domestic animals are being caught or injured in these snares; if she will review this practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 114 - Answered on 10th May, 2006
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been given details by the Irish Council against Blood Sports of trading companies supplying and using glue traps; and the action taken in each case. More...
Question 584 - Answered on 4th April, 2006
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 23 March 2005, if there is an independent verification available to his Department to support the figures given in his reply that 20 or more hunting groups kill in total two to three hares in a month. More...
Question 195 - Answered on 29th March, 2006
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the increasing use of unauthorised drugs in the greyhound industry including most recently in the Irish Coursing Clubs premier event, the Irish Cup; the action he intends to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 196 - Answered on 29th March, 2006
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the type of unauthorised drugs being used to improve the performance of greyhounds in racing and coursing club events; and the type for which a greyhound (details supplied) recently tested positive. More...
Question 526 - Answered on 28th March, 2006
Ciarán Cuffe: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he extended the hare hunting season by granting a licence to the Irish Masters of Beagles Association, which allowed 20 hunts to chase and kill hares in counties Clare, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow, throughout the month of March 2006. More...
Question 205 - Answered on 23rd March, 2006
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he granted an extension of licences to cover March 2006 to beagling clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 895 - Answered on 21st March, 2006
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 8 March 2006, the circumstances under which a licence would be issued for the sale or possession of glue traps; if such licences have been issued to date; and if so, to whom and for what purpose. More...
Question 214 - Answered on 8th March, 2006
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of hares captured from the wild for the 2005-2006 coursing season which had previously been caught, marked and released by coursing clubs. More...
Question 215 - Answered on 8th March, 2006
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action being taken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to end the sale of unlawful glue traps from retail outlets here. More...
Question 180 - Answered on 8th December 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the activities of the Ward Union Hunt (details supplied) will be reviewed in the context of her responsibilities under the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984; and if she will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 239 - Answered on 1st December 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of deer killed during the 2004-05 Ward Union hunt; the causes of death; the circumstances in which they sustained fatal injuries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 240 - Answered on 1st December 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a licence was granted to the Ward Union hunt due to the recommendation of the local regional manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service that it may be highly illegal and should not be licensed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 247 - Answered on 1st December 2005
Ciarán Cuffe: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will intervene to stop the Ward Union deer hunt on the grounds that it breaches the Protection of Animals Act. More...
Question 528 - Answered on 29 November 2005
Ciarán Cuffe: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for his licensing of the Ward Union deer hunt in view of an apparent recommendation by a senior National Parks and Wildlife Service official that the hunt should not be licensed. More...
Question 337 - Answered on 19th October 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if hares were coursed more than once, in breach of the regulations by a coursing club (details supplied) in County Mayo at its meeting of 30 and 31 October 2004; if sick hares which appeared to be suffering from malnutrition were coursed at the same meeting; if the club was sanctioned or penalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 89 - Answered on 13th October 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Finance the areas in which the Revenue Commissioners grant tax exemptions to sporting groups; if the definition of sport is that as outlined in section 25 of the Finance Act 1932; and if this definition will be followed when deciding on qualifying activities for the purposes of a tax exemption under the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. More...
Questions 445, 447, 450, 451, 452, 453, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 465, 467, 468, 470, 471, 477 and 479 - Answered on 30th June 2005
Questions relating to the horrific slaughter of pigs on a Waterford farm in 2002. The questions were directed at the Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, from Tony Gregory, Mary Upton, Sean Haughey and Dan Boyle. More...
Question 117 - Answered on 28th June 2005
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the possibility that Ireland may be in breach of the habitats directive unless a comprehensive national hare survey is undertaken; and if, in the meantime, he will cease licensing the capture of wild hares for any purpose, including coursing. More...
Question 856 - Answered on 14th June, 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if reports have been received from the National Parks and Wildlife Service detailing breaches of licence conditions by coursing clubs (details supplied) in Counties Laois and Offaly; if the licence to Rathdowney will be withheld for the 2005/2006 season; if the licence will be withdrawn from Ballinagar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 409 - Answered on 24th May, 2005
Joe Higgins: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the recent report from the Irish hare initiative which states that at some coursing events actual hare deaths may be as high as 48% of the hares caught for coursing. More...
Question 410 - Answered on 24th May, 2005
Joe Higgins: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will refuse further licences for hare coursing in line with the precautionary principle advocated in the recent report from the Irish hare initiative. More...
Question 223 - Answered on 27th April, 2005
Michael D. Higgins: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if representatives from her Department have, in the past, placed snares or other traps in Coillte's Kilcornaun Wood in Clarinbridge, County Galway as part of their tuberculosis eradication scheme. More...
Question 288 - Answered on 1st March, 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the arrangements her Department has made to regulate the practice of fox hunting; her views on the practice of cubbing or cub hunting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 246 - Answered on 10th February, 2005
Dan Boyle: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of licences issued by his Department to permit stag hunting; when such licences are to be renewed; and if consideration will be given to renewing such licences. More...
Question 57 - Answered on 9th February, 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the deer hunted by the Ward Union Hunt; if these deer are wild or domesticated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 350 - Answered on 2nd February, 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the National Parks and Wildlife Service has investigated the shooting of deer at a location (details supplied) as reported in a newspaper; the action that has been taken to identify and prosecute those responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 290 - Answered on 2nd February, 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 672 of 26 January 2005, if the deer farm at Greenpark, County Meath owned by the Ward Union Hunt is geared exclusively to the production of venison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 671 - Answered on 26th January, 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department provides a veterinary inspector to monitor the ward union hunt and coursing meetings; if her Department staff have sufficient resources to continue this work in the interest of animal welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 1380 - Answered on 26th January, 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the regional manager and deputy regional manager of the north eastern region, of the National Parks and Wildlife Service reported that the Ward Union Hunt Club should not be granted a licence to hunt its captive farmed deer in the 2004/5 season; the reason their professional advice was ignored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 1381 - Answered on 26th January, 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a licence was granted to the Ward Union Hunt Club to hunt its captive farmed deer in contravention of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, wherein wild animals are clearly defined. More...
Question 1382 - Answered on 26th January, 2005
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the opinion of the Attorney General was sought before granting a licence to the Ward Union Hunt Club for the 2004/5 season in view of the definition of wild animals contained in the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 1355 - Answered on 26th January, 2005
Dan Boyle: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has examined the effect of the ban on hare coursing in Northern Ireland and the way in which such a ban might impact here. More...
Question 770 - Answered on 26th January, 2005
Dan Boyle: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Síochána has received complaints regarding the activities of the Dunhallow Hunt in north Cork over the past five years; if so, the nature of the complaints and the measures taken by the Gardaí in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 314 - Answered on 16th December, 2004
Dan Boyle: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a hunt (details supplied) in County Cork is licensed; the terms of such a licence in particular, if it specifies the areas in which participants may hunt; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there have been repeated complaints regarding the activities of this hunt, including it crossing farmlands without permission, entering fields in which heifers are in calf, cutting fences and entering game sanctuaries. [33798/04]. More...
Question 166 - Answered on 10th December, 2004
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the criteria and methods used in licensing the taking of frogs from the wild to be used in vivisection; and if he will revoke this licence. [29380/04]. More...
Question 167 - Answered on 8th December, 2004
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider the threat of myopathy for the hare species, which is a stress induced condition; and if he will end licences for hare coursing to minimise the threat. More...
Question 366 - Answered on 12th October, 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of deer which remain in the wild following hunts organised by the Ward Union Hunt; the location of these deer; the reason they are not recaptured; the responsibilities of the Ward Union authorities in relation to uncaptured deer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 365 - Answered on 12th October, 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the licensing conditions for the capture of hares will be altered to include the prohibition of the removal of the hares from the State. More...
Question 364 - Answered on 12th October, 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of prosecutions taken by his Department for the unlawful capture of hares; the locations at which the captures took place; the outcome of the prosecutions; if the purpose of the unlawful captures was established in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 183 - Answered on 7th October, 2004
Dan Boyle: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if funds were given directly by his Department or its agencies to the Irish Coursing Club in the past ten years. More...
Question 574 - Answered on 23rd March, 2004
Joe Higgins: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the legal basis upon which his Department issues licences to the Ward Union Stag Hunt to hunt deer farmed and raised in captivity when the 1911 Protection of Animals Act prohibits the hunting of tame or domestic animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Adjournment Debate - 4th March, 2004
Tony Gregory: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me time to speak on this issue which I consider to be a flagrant breach of the Protection of Animals Act. I refer to the granting of licences to the Ward Union hunt to use packs of hounds to hunt tame domesticated deer. More...
Question 270 - Answered on 3rd March, 2004
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the licensing of stag hunting will cease in view of the fact that the quarry in this activity is in fact domesticated. More...
Question 264 - Answered on 3rd March, 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the recommendation of the Heritage Council regarding the introduction of hunting on State lands; if this recommendation conforms to best practise and official policy for the past 30 years; if it is his intention to reject the Heritage Council recommendation; if so, the reasons for doing so and the locations involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 272 - Answered on 3rd March, 2004
Emmet Stagg: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the unanimous report of the Independent Scientific Group dated 18 June 2002 and which concluded that a blanket ban on hunting on State owned lands was without justification, and that if this ban were lifted or modified that no international agreements would be breached; and if in view of this report he will reconsider the blanket ban on hunting on State lands and the way in which it might be modified. More...
Question 273 - Answered on 3rd March, 2004
Emmet Stagg: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the international agreements or obligations which the Government would be in breach of if it were to allow hunting on State lands. More...
Question 403 - Answered on 2nd March, 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a hunt (details supplied) supplies a fixture list to local landowners in compliance with the requirements of their licence in order not to cause inconvenience and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 417 - Answered on 2nd March, 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a coursing club listed in the Irish Coursing Club licence took hares from Valentia Island during the 2003/04 coursing season; the number of hares that were taken and the location they were released. More...
Question 183 - 26th February 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the numbers and so on, of all deer released and not recaptured as per condition two of the licence for the Ward Union Hunt for each year 1999-2003. More...
Question 97 - 25th February 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the Irish Council Against Blood Sports has been in correspondence with his Department regarding its concerns at the ongoing cruelty involved in live hare coursing, including video evidence of the success of drag coursing abroad; if he has fully considered all the issues raised given his reply to Question No. 246 of 18 February 2004; and if he will make a statement on the need for legislative change. More...
Question 99 - Answered on 18th February, 2004
Dan Boyle: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the description of his Department's tuberculosis eradication scheme as a cruel slaughter of badgers masquerading as science; if he will review the policy in favour of more scientific and more compassionate methods to prevent the spread of tuberculosis; and his views on the Krebs experiment in the UK which has seen a suspension of reactive culling of badgers. More...
Question 154 - Answered on 18th February, 2004
John Gormley: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food, the Government funding which has gone over the past ten years to the Kildare Hunt via funding for the Punchestown centre. More...
Question 246 - Answered on 18th February, 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the purpose of and the outcome of the meeting in October 2003 between the Monitoring Committee and the Irish Coursing Club; if he plans any legislative or policy initiative in light of the need to introduce drag coursing here in view of the success of this alternative to live hare coursing in Australia, the USA and Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 231 - Answered on 17th February, 2004
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of badgers that were killed in each of the 26 counties for each of the years from 1995 through to 2003. More...
Question 493 - Answered on 17th February, 2004
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of licences which have been issued by the national parks and wildlife service division of his Department under section 23(6) of the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000, specifically for the capture of humane killings of badgers for each of the 26 counties in each of the years from 1995 through to 2003. More...
Question 494 - Answered on 17th February, 2004
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimated badger population; the total number and the number per square kilometre in each of the 26 counties for each of the years from 1995 through to 2003; and the confidence limits of the estimates. More...
Question No. 473 - Answered on 3rd February, 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Wildlife Service is investigating reports regarding the taking of hares from Valentia Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question No. 472 - Answered on 3rd February, 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if Roundstone Beach is a protected area; if the Wildlife Service is investigating reports of the taking of hares from this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question No. 470 - Answered on 3rd February, 2004
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has considered the report of a person (details supplied); if he will review the decision to grant licences to the Ward Union Hunt to hunt domesticated deer with a pack of stag hounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 81 - Answered on 29th January 2004
Roisin Shortall: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the large scale destruction of farm and other property, often running to thousands of euro, by the unauthorised use of such lands for the purposes of live hunting; the plans he has to safeguard the interests and property of landowners in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 37 - Answered on 18th December 2003
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the level of Exchequer funding made available to the Irish Coursing Club each year in the past ten years; and the purpose for which this funding was required. More...
Question 116 - Answered on 3rd December, 2003
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent of licences which exist for laboratories which use live animals in tests and experiments; and if he will review these licences in the context of developments in the testing of drugs and other products which no longer require the use of live animals. More...
Question 61 - Answered on 3rd December, 2003
Joe Sherlock: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if it is proposed to continue the culling of badgers to curb the spread of bovine tuberculosis; if his attention has been drawn to the claims that the culling of badgers in the UK has led to an increase in the incidence of bovine TB; the number of cases of bovine TB to date in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 54 - Answered on 26th November, 2003
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if wild hares will cease to be taken from the wild for the purpose of live hare coursing in view of the concern expressed by the Northern Ireland Office regarding the low numbers of wild hares and the bringing of wild hares across the Border for the purpose of live hare coursing. More...
Question 223 - Answered on 20th November, 2003
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the arrangement by the Dungannon Coursing Club to carry out coursing in County Cavan on 21, 22 and 23 November 2003 is in breach of the hare netting licence given to the Cavan Coursing Club; if he will have this matter investigated and dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 248 - Answered on 19th November, 2003
Ciarán Cuffe: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the person responsible for licensing the Ward Union Carted Deer Hunt in Dunshaughlin, County Meath. More...
Question 202 - Answered on 5th November, 2003
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of the concerns regarding cruelty to Irish greyhounds exported to Spain, he will intervene in the matter. More...
Question 153 - Answered on 5th November, 2003
Eamon Ryan/Nominated by Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the representations his Department is receiving in regard to fur farming here; his views on the arguments regarding the cruelty of the practice; and if he will ban it. More...
Questions 284, 286, 287, 288 and 289 - Answered on 5th November, 2003
Ciarán Cuffe: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in regard to hare coursing, he will follow the example of Northern Ireland and immediately withdraw the licence from hare coursers to net timid and defenceless hares from the wild for cruel activities.
Joe Higgins: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to end the practise whereby hares are netted here for coursing events in Northern Ireland (as the license to net hares from the wild issued by the Department of the Environment and Local Government does not cover coursing clubs in Northern Ireland).
Joe Higgins: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to seek the return here for release of hares netted here and currently held in a compound in Northern Ireland by the Dungannon Coursing Club.
Joe Higgins: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the statement issued by the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland, expressing concerns that the Irish hare is in danger; and the plans his Department has to give greater protection to the Irish hare.
Joe Higgins: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will withdraw the license from hare coursers to net hares from the wild for coursing. More...
Question 175 - Answered on 23rd October, 2003
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is evidence of trafficking of hares from the 26 counties to the six counties following the refusal of the Northern authorities to grant a licence to net hares to the Dungannon Coursing Club; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 509 - Answered on 7th October, 2003
Joe Higgins: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects the joint project to establish hare numbers throughout Ireland, referred to in Parliamentary Questions Nos. 285 and 286 of 1 April 2003, to be commenced. More...
Question 75 - Answered on 3rd July, 2003
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of badgers killed under the cull agreed under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; if a pre-eradication survey was conducted in the relevant areas; if not, the way in which the Government can verify that populations have not been reduced below the 20% figure specified by the Berne Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question E-1859/03 (European Commission) - Answered on 23 July 2003
Proinsias De Rossa: A recent study indicated that the hare (Lepus capensis (europaeus)) population in Northern Ireland had declined enough to qualify the hare as a 'species in crisis' and to suggest the need for the implementation of a Species Action Plan to protect hares. What are the most recent, independent estimates of the number of hares on the island of Ireland in the Commission's possession and will it consider adding hares to the list of animals protected under the Habitats Directive - Directive 92/43/EEC (1)? More...
Question 410 - Answered on 20th May, 2003
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if it is current policy that no hunting may take place on State lands; the reason Dúchas gave permission for gun dog trials on State lands at Kinnity Moors, County Offaly and the National Park at Kippure during the bird-nesting season in contravention of the Wildlife Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 240 - Answered on 14th May, 2003
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if State lands (1 per cent of total area) are maintained free from hunting. More...
Question 239 - Answered on 14th May, 2003
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the way in which the Government has given effect to the Biodiversity Convention; and if, for example, his attention has been drawn to the fact that Northern Ireland has put in place a species action plan which has led to coursing meetings being cancelled due to reduced Irish hare population. More...
Question 281 - Answered on 1st April, 2003
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to regulate the trade in exotic animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 285 - Answered on 1st April, 2003
Joe Higgins: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department has plans to commission a survey on the hare population here in order to ascertain if the hare, as a species, can withstand the practices of coursing and hunting at the current levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. More...
Question 286 - Answered on 1st April, 2003
Joe Higgins: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the existence of the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service's species action plan to halt the substantial decline that is believed to have occurred in the Irish hare population over the past 10 to 20 years; and his views on whether research and an action plan will be beneficial regarding the conservation of hares here. More...
Question 175 - Answered on 10th December, 2002
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make available copies of reports by his Department's veterinary division on the Ward Union Carted Deer Hunt for the 1998/9, 1999/00, 2000/01 and 2001/02 seasons. More...
Question 134 - Answered on 4th Decemer, 2002
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department's monitoring report found that the physiological stress of hunting led to the death of one deer in the 2001/02 season of the Ward Union Hunt; when and the location this occurred; and the details of all the circumstances involved in the death of this deer. More...
Question 150 - Answered on 22 February, 2001
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if licence conditions were breached at the coursing meeting in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, on 1 January 2001; and the action she is taking in this regard. More...
Question 52 - Answered on 15th February 2001
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his Department has investigated reports that hares whose condition gave them no chance of escape were coursed at Abbeyfeale, County Limerick on 1 and 2 January 2001 (details supplied); and if licence conditions were breached. More...
Question 366 - Answered on 30 January, 2001
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of hares killed and those injured at the Abbeyfeale coursing meeting held on 1 and 2 January 2001. More...
Question 75 - Answered on 25 May, 2000
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 22 February 2000, he will outline the new rules and procedures relating to fox-hunting. More...
Question 221 - Answered on 10 May, 2000
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when regulations were introduced to provide for muzzling of hounds at coursing meetings. More...
Question 458 - Answered on 10 May, 2000
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will set out the irregularities referred to in her letter to Deputy Gregory (details supplied) including the coursing clubs and meetings concerned; and the outcome of the inquiries made in each case. More...
Question 459 - Answered on 10 May, 2000
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if a coursing club (details supplied) was involved in irregularities during the 1998/99 season; if their licence was suspended for the 1999/2000 season; if the suspension was then lifted, if so, the reasons the suspension was lifted and the representations made to have the suspension lifted. More...
Question 253 - Answered on 09 February, 1999
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason she rejected the recommendations of the Heritage Council not to grant a licence to the Ward Union Hunt while the status of the deer was being clarified. More...
Question 25 - Answered on 20 February, 1997
Trevor Sargent: To ask the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the outcome of his monitoring of deer hunting activities by the Ward Union; and if he will have regard to the many landowners, road users and compassionate members of the public, both rural and urban, who object to deer hunting with hounds before deciding on his future policy in relation to this activity. More...
Question 36 - Answered on 20 February, 1997
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 22 October 1996, the action, if any, taken by him and/or the Wildlife Service regarding the ongoing stag hunts organised by the Ward Union Hunt. More...
Question 38 - Answered on 20 February, 1997
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he intends to issue any further licences for stag hunts in view of the cruelty inherent in such hunts. More...
Question 89 - Answered on 03 December, 1996
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the procedures involved in applying for a licence for foot and mounted hare hunting by harrier pack; and the conditions, if any, applied. More...
