Mr. Damien Hannigan:

In regard to the Chairman’s question on competency and training, specifically in regard to deer management, our organisation undertakes a lot of training in terms of ethical deer management but deer stalkers who manage deer on Coillte property are required to complete the hunter competence assessment programme. Effectively, that entails both a written examination and a range test as well. It is a first step in terms of basic knowledge of target identification, safety and other aspects of firearms use. To date, more than 1,000 people have been put through the programme.