Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

For clarity, district conservation officers make a call in terms of the management of numbers in national parks. The Deputy is talking about deer populations outside of our nature reserves and national parks. Last year, we managed to significantly improve the provision of section 42 deer hunting licences. I have met the Irish Deer Commission. We need good training for people who are hunting deer so that they can get a clear kill of an animal in the most humane manner possible.

In 2020, 35,134 deer were shot under section 42 licences. Under serious damage licences, 4,684 deer were shot. The Irish Deer Commission had figures for Kerry, where 8,000 deer were culled over a five-year period. The numbers are quite significant when one considers them in conjunction with what we are managing in our national parks and nature reserves, coupled with our licensing regime which has been significantly improved. We aim to move that online in order to further streamline the process.

I have met the Irish Deer Commission and others involved in the hunting fraternity about this. We are aware that it is a problem and it has been highlighted to us in other parts of the country. We are making significant strides in dealing with that. I note the points the Deputy has made. Landowners, farmers and those in forestry are frustrated. Road safety is also an issue. As I said, we will continue to improve the licensing element and ensure we have a sustainable deer population in this country.

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