Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Any legislation or debate on wildlife in the House is to be welcomed. It exercises the minds of people from time to time and stag hunting was one such issue. We have heard it in relation to coursing as well. That underlines the interest in and concern for wildlife, which is not confined to people living in rural Ireland. It applies to anyone who is concerned with quality of life. Wildlife provides an element of one's quality of life. In our younger days in school, the schoolmaster would ensure we went out to embrace nature. Details of birds' nests, etc., were explained to us. At a very young age, I read a story in one of our school textbooks that talked about hares as if they were human. It talked about a hare going to school with a bag over its shoulder. When I was out with my father not long after, I insisted that I saw the hare with the schoolbag running across the field. That was how wildlife affected our imaginations. It was part of our lives.

I must admit I had a ferret at home when I was young. I used to go out hunting for rabbits with the ferret and with a net. If I caught a rabbit, I sold it or else we had it at home. Perhaps I saw that as part of survival. We have to consider the need for balance. That balance has been reached, to some extent. I accept that the primary wildlife legislation is almost 40 years old, as the Minister has pointed out. That is a long period of time, especially in light of the way things have changed. Certain species are in danger of becoming extinct. We all regret that we do not hear the sound of the corncrake as we used to in days gone by. It was much more than a sound - it was part of our emotional make-up. We get excited when we hear the cuckoo. The older people alert the younger people to the presence of the cuckoo.

When all of that is considered as part of the debate, we realise that we are not talking about something that is removed from us. We are talking about something that is a central part of our make-up, even if no legislation or protective measures were introduced. My experience of the people living in rural Ireland is that they are the custodians of our wildlife. There have been times when they had to face certain challenges, particularly where vermin were concerned and when it was found that badgers were spreading TB to cattle. They were real issues. At no time did the people of rural Ireland want to wipe out all wildlife. They did not decide to kill every pheasant in order to sell it. There are echoes of that approach in the fishing industry as well. No one wants to wipe out all stocks.

I have always found that the national debates on most of these issues were not needed in rural Ireland. However, we have heard horror stories about shooting parties coming in from England, where other restrictions exist. The activity in which they were engaged is a blood sport in the real sense of being a blood sport. There was absolutely no question of it being done for any sensible reason. It was absolute carnage. The local people who were the custodians of our wildlife were shocked to think that could happen. The same thing applies to coursing. It would be very difficult for us to argue against coursing in rural Ireland. On the other hand, certain measures have been taken to ensure the cruelty is removed from the sport. Again, it is a matter of balance.

The question of whether one should have a hunting endorsement on one's gun licence is part of what we are discussing today. We need to reflect on whether "open season" should be open in the fullest sense. If there is a danger that we are about to backtrack to some extent by taking a lighter approach, I suggest it would have an adverse effect on the debate that is taking place and would be contrary to what people actually want in this regard. I am aware of the technical glitches that occurred in 2009 and 2010. I accept that technical issues need to be dealt with in the short term. I presume this approach will not extend beyond the short term.

I am glad the Minister mentioned that the primary legislation is more than 40 years old. I do not know if the Minister and the officials in his Department have yet had a chance to think about further legislation. Perhaps today's debate will be a lever in that regard and we will be given an indication that such legislation will be introduced. As we discuss this technical legislation - I accept that is what it is - we need to consider whether it might do something that it was not intended to do by adding to the decimation of part of our wildlife. If that is the case, we will have to revisit the primary legislation as quickly as we can.

There is always an educational aspect where wildlife is concerned. I have heard that the nature visits we went on when we were young, which I mentioned earlier, do not exist in our schools anymore. I might be totally wrong in this regard. I would like to think I am wrong. Children in our schools travel to other countries with school groups or come to Dublin on school tours. I suggest that the greatest areas of exploration and discovery they might avail of are on their own doorsteps. I recall that when I was in secondary school, as a townie I had an absolute and sheer envy of the knowledge the country boys had about habitats and the seasons, etc. Regardless of the pressure on our schools, that has to continue as part of the education system. I exhort our schools to reconsider as far as possible the educational value of these matters for our young people. Not only would such an approach give children a rounded education, but it would also add to their knowledge of who they are as a people - their background and traditions, etc. All of that is bound up with this issue.

The question of protection is another important issue in this context. If a young person is introduced to nature in a nice way, he or she will appreciate, for instance, that one should not put one's hands on the eggs in a nest because the bird will become aware of it and subsequently desert the nest. We heard all of that when we were young. I understand that this legislation is technical. I accept the point the Minister has made about the antiquity of the primary legislation in this area. When we are discussing these matters, we should ensure education is part of the debate. If we do that, I do not think there will be any dangers in the future. The Irish people will always be protective of wildlife. For tourism reasons, we should not undermine or decimate what is important to us as a people. I thank the Minister for bringing this legislation to the House and giving us an opportunity to speak broadly about this country's wildlife.