Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

Mink found in the wild in Ireland are descended from animals that escaped from fur farms. They have been breeding in the countryside since the 1950s and are now found throughout much of the country. A report published by my Department in 2009 estimated the population of wild mink in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals. It identified ground-nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to mink predation.

For some time I have been concerned about the prevalence of feral mink around the country and especially their effects on ground-nesting birds. However, the cost of a national cull would be prohibitive at this time. Accordingly, my Department is concentrating its resources on protecting the nesting sites of rare and threatened bird species such as the red-throated diver, the corncrake, the grey partridge, waders and terns from a range of predators, including mink. Experience has shown that targeted control of predators at specific times can have a significant benefit to the breeding success of these species.

I am aware of the work of the National Association of Regional Game Councils which has been actively promoting mink control to its members by providing funding for its regional councils for the purchase of traps for individual clubs. I decided to provide €20,000 for the organisation towards the payment of a bounty to hunters this year based on the number of mink killed. I consider this to be a useful addition to the control measures already being taken by my Department on land it owns. While feral mink are found in most parts of the country, I requested that, as far as possible, special attention be given to the counties of Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Kerry where my Department has already concentrated its efforts. The bounty scheme will be operated by the National Association of Regional Game Councils and a verification process will be in operation between it and my Department. As wild mink are not protected under the Wildlife Acts, they can be controlled by landowners and their agents.

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