Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)

I propose to share time with Deputy Tom Barry. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important legislation. The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 includes provisions allowing all holders of valid firearm certificates issued for shotguns between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2012 to be deemed to be the holders of a hunting licence under the Wildlife Acts for the purposes of hunting game bird and hare species. This provision was introduced to address an issue that arose following the introduction of a new computerised firearm licensing system by An Garda Síochána.

The solution proposed is a commonsense approach and will facilitate legal hunting by citizens of this State. The legislation is necessary to allow people to continue lawful activities. Throughout my constituency of Louth, there are strong and law-abiding gun clubs. Gun clubs in rural areas like Stabannon and Tallanstown have a strong bond with and are respectful of nature. I welcome anyone to accompany me through these beautiful areas of mid-Louth to sample the depth of tradition that permeates them. It is a traditional skilled activity that has been handed down for generations. It is important for my rural constituents to have their traditions respected and honoured.

Prior to the enactment of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010, the Wildlife Acts required a hunter to have a licence to hunt certain game birds, such as pheasant and partridge, and hares. The Acts provided that this would be obtained as an endorsement on the hunter's firearm certificate. The hunting licence and firearm certificate were issued by An Garda Síochána in the form of a shotgun licence. The Bill will enable citizens to hunt in a lawful manner, otherwise they would be hunting unlawfully after 31 July. This would not be acceptable, as the good citizens of Ireland who have complied with the law and respected nature cannot be allowed suddenly to become unlawful citizens.

The Bill does not give hunters unrestricted permission to hunt protected birds and hares on a year-round basis. The hunting season for game birds under the open season is restricted for most wildfowl to 1 September to the end of January. In the case of popular game birds, such as pheasant and partridge, the open season is shorter, from 1 November to the end of January. The open season for hares is from the end of September to the end of February. These traditional dates are sacrosanct and will not be modified. The Bill will allow hunters to continue their sporting activity in a legal manner without interruption during the open seasons. As a consequence, I have no hesitation in commending the Bill to this House.

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