Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

——provides that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may grant to the master or other person in charge of a pack of stag hounds, a licence authorising the hunting of deer by that pack, during such period as specified in the licence. The current licence held by the Ward Union Hunt expires on 31 March 2007. This licence and all licences issued since 1999, incorporate, among other things, a requirement of compliance with the code of practice agreed in 1999 between the Ward Union Hunt Club, the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Department of Agriculture and Food.

It is not open to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to refuse a licence application for a hunt on grounds of principle. Through the wildlife Acts, the Oireachtas has determined that this activity is, in principle, licensable.

Given this legal position, the Department's proper focus in addressing licence applications is on the hunt's compliance with licence conditions during the term of the previous licence. Veterinary reports, prepared by the veterinary inspector engaged by the Department to inspect the hunt and its compliance with the conditions of the licence, are also taken into account, and as necessary, the Department meets representatives of the applicants to review these matters. The matters referred to by the Deputy, together with public safety concerns, will clearly require discussion with representatives of the hunt shortly.

The question of any further licence for the Ward Union Hunt will be considered in the light of these various factors and of the veterinary inspector's report. Issues relating to animal welfare are the statutory responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture and Food under section 2 of the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1965 and section 1 of the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984. In light of what the Deputy has said I will bring his comments to the attention of the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

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