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

On the cormorant, we have a significant challenge in terms of data on many species, be they birds, plants or insects. Fishing and angling groups and gun clubs are on the ground day in and day out and they could be of use to us in gathering data on cormorant numbers. That would be most helpful. That is something we will give consideration to.

We have a huge challenge with invasive species. Deer numbers were raised here before and a significant cull will be required to manage deer numbers and bring them back to sustainable levels across our countryside. When we have an imbalance in nature and do not have connected or coherent habitats, we will always have a challenge with invasive species.

I agree wholeheartedly on mink. They are causing utter destruction of wildlife. We looked at the costing of a total eradication. Other countries have done it. It is very costly. Despite the increased resources we have received for the NPWS, we would not have the financial or human resources to do that at this stage. Ultimately, the objective would be to remove them from the countryside. I will go back to the Department and see if there is any way to revisit that pilot scheme, as a pilot or on a wider scale, and look at what the bounty might be.

I am not fully familiar with the scheme, because it was before my time. However, I will give a commitment that we will give consideration to the issue; see what the best way is to approach it and whether it could be revisited.

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