Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Licences were issued by my Department in August 2014 under the wildlife Acts to the Irish Coursing Club on behalf of their affiliated clubs to facilitate the tagging and capturing of hares for the purpose of hare coursing for the 2014-2015 coursing season. Where resources allow, officials of the NPWS attend coursing meetings on a spot-check basis to monitor compliance with conditions on the licences granted by my Department. Veterinary officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also attend some meetings on an annual basis.

The reports of officials from my Department who attended the two coursing meetings referred to in September and October 2013 indicated there was a lack of co-operation with them in the course of their duties, an issue which I take very seriously. Following engagement with the clubs in question and with the Irish Coursing Club, the body that oversees individual coursing clubs, written assurances were provided to my Department that both clubs would fully co-operate with officials of my Department at all times and that they would adhere to all licence conditions. On the basis of these assurances, I decided not to impose sanctions against the clubs on this occasion. At the same time, both clubs have been issued with written warnings that any further transgressions, especially relating to lack of co-operation with NPWS officials, would result in my Department imposing future sanctions against the clubs.

It is clear this approach has worked satisfactorily to date. A meeting of one of the clubs which took place last month was attended by a conservation ranger who reported that there was full co-operation forthcoming. The meeting of the other club, due to take place this week, will also be monitored by officials from my Department.

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