Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Brassil for raising this important topic. Each year, as part of the ongoing management of deer populations within Killarney National Park, deer numbers may need reduction for the reasons outlined by the Deputy. There is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels and in a responsible and ethical manner.

Ultimately, however, where deer species are increasing in range and numbers and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls need to be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences. Deer have the potential to impact significantly on woodlands, including the iconic yew, oak and also wet woodlands, within the park by, for example, bark stripping of mature trees and preventing regeneration. Accordingly, and as part of its regular ongoing management operations, the Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands when appropriate. The Department commissioned a comprehensive survey and report in the winter of 2016 on the distribution, population density and population structure of red deer and sika deer in Killarney National Park. The study found that the total estimated red deer density over the entire study area of 13.64 sq. km was some 708 deer. I am not sure if Deputy Brassil was including sika deer within his own statistics. The number of sika deer is approximately 200 so the number is almost 2,000, as the Deputy mentioned earlier.

On foot of this comprehensive survey and report in the winter of 2016 and following a further census of areas of the park conducted in spring 2017, my Department commenced a cull of deer last month. It is hoped to conclude the cull by the end of March. This work will be undertaken by qualified and competent National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, personnel of my Department. The proposed cull is at a similar level to that which was undertaken in previous years. I can give the Deputy the statistics afterwards but approximately 45 deer were culled last year while 55 were culled the year before. To date, 13 deer have been culled this year. The following points should be noted with regard to the cull. The proposed course of action has been decided upon following consultation with NPWS professional staff, including scientific input as required. Shooting of deer in the park will be carried out only by NPWS professional staff members who are fully trained, competent, expert and licensed in the use of firearms. Deer will be culled within the boundaries of Killarney National Park. The selection of deer to be shot will be in accordance with normal deer management protocols. The deer will be shot humanely by qualified expert marksmen. The remains will be processed and disposed of in full compliance with the applicable Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine guidelines and with the involvement, as appropriate, of Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine officials. As part of the ongoing proactive management of the habitats and species in Killarney National Park, it is proposed to conduct a Killarney National Park deer census in 2018. This work will be undertaken by external specialists. It is hoped to initiate this process shortly.

As the Deputy mentioned, wild deer are protected under the Wildlife Acts and roam freely throughout the countryside. They are the only remaining native large mammal in Ireland. They are also a huge attraction for tourists, particularly during the mating season in autumn which is known as the rut. However, I accept what the Deputy is saying regarding road traffic issues. With regard to the licensing, which the Deputy raised during his opening remarks, a licence can be applied for under the Wildlife Acts outside the normal open season but there must be evidence of damage to private property.

See this speech in context