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

I have listened to the concerns raised during the course of the debate and I appreciate that this is a sensitive and emotive topic for many. People have sincerely held views on the matter and they are entitled to them.

Coursing is not a sport involving a hunt to kill. More than 99% of hares involved are released back into the wild. Last year, for example, 5,348 hares were used during coursing and 5,312 were released. Hares are not kept in boxes prior to meetings, they are kept in a fenced field where they are fed and watered. They have small enclosures in which to rest and sleep.

All meetings are attended by a veterinary surgeon and my officials attend coursing meetings as resources allow also to monitor compliance.

I understand the main reason for the decline in the number of hares on Bull Island has little to do with hare coursing and more to do with the fact that some dog owners allow their dogs to roam off the leash. That does not help to foster the hare population on the island. I also understand that the main landowner on Bull Island, Dublin City Council, is working proactively to raise awareness and to address the issue.

I heard some contributions which questioned my role as Minister in allowing the situation to continue. What they fail to recognise, or are unwilling to recognise, is that for many in rural communities coursing is an integral part of their heritage and tradition. Deputy Mattie McGrath outlined how arts and heritage come together at coursing meetings. In many cases the practice of hare coursing has crossed generations from father to son, as outlined by Deputy Joe Carey. As Minister with responsibility for both heritage and rural affairs it would be remiss of me if I did not try to find a balance. In that regard I am satisfied that the strict licensing conditions and monitoring currently in place finds that balance and allows coursing in a highly regulated environment where welfare of the hare is paramount. If clubs breach the conditions they are punished. I referred to some examples in that regard in my earlier remarks.

An outright ban on coursing, which is effectively what is proposed in the Bill, could drive the sport underground. I accept that would be an unintended consequence of Deputy O’Sullivan’s Bill but I am aware that has been an issue in both the United Kingdom and in Northern Ireland where bans have been introduced. If that were to happen here, coursing meetings would take place in unregulated environments with no controls in place. I alluded previously to the dangers of hare lurching, as did other speakers, and we do not wish to see an increase in that type of illegal activity.

As I have indicated, my responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts relate to the conservation of hares and I have no concerns regarding its conservation status, which is classified as being favourable. As regards welfare and as I have pointed out, my Department has, over the years, included conditions on the licences issued to the Irish Coursing Club. I will continue to work with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Irish Coursing Club to ensure that coursing is undertaken to the highest standards for the benefit of the welfare of both hares and greyhounds. This is a highly regulated industry under licence and without licence, the industry would revert to operating without regulation. At present, we have a controlled environment and I suggest we should not allow it to go into an non-regulated space.

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