Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would not say it is all-Kerry, a Chathaoirligh. I welcome the Minister of State. As we know, deer are wild animals that cannot easily be fenced in and ideally should never be fenced in. The protection of red deer, as a native species, is very important. As Senators will be aware, the number of red and sika deer in Killarney National Park is roughly equal. I know it is impossible to find an exact number, but I would be interested to get an approximate number. I do not think there would be any objection to a cull of sika deer, which is an imported species. I think any cull should be confined to sika deer.

The fencing of Killarney National Park would be impossible. As we know, deer exist outside the park as well. There is no question of the road between Killarney and Kenmare, which passes through the national park, ever being fenced. However, in view of the number of accidents that have happened on the N72 road between Killarney and Killorglin, there is a case for some limited fencing where deer have tended to cross that road. I support that case and suggest that the fence might extend from the end of the Castlerosse Hotel wall to the car park on the perimeter of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. That is a limited area. As the Minister of State probably knows, many of the trees along that roadside have been damaged by cars crashing into them as they veer to avoid deer. The coroner has commented on that matter on a number of occasions. I support fully the installation of fencing to exclude deer along that stretch only. If there are too many red deer in lowland areas and they are wandering beyond the park - for example, into the reed beds on the edge of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club - perhaps they could be suitably darted at a particular time and transported to much higher ground on the edge of Mangerton or Torc. It think it could be a question of husbandry rather than of a cull.

Red deer have existed in Killarney for over 6,000 years and are widely regarded to be of international importance as a unique species of deer. Damien Hannigan of the Wild Deer Association has said he believes illegal poaching has reduced the number of red deer in Killarney to "a dangerously low level" in recent years. He fears that an indiscriminate cull could endanger the genetic diversity of the species. While I might not go quite that far, I would be supportive of what he is saying or hinting at. As a member of the Kerry Deer Society, I do not believe, on the basis of my sightings and my knowledge of the area, that red deer have been culled to a dangerously low level. I should mention that the society in question would not support a cull of the red deer. The Minister of State probably knows that illegal poaching is taking place. I do not think the people who are shooting deer are examining them to see whether they are red or sika.Being a fellow Kerryman with an interest in these matters, I am sure the Minister shares my concerns and I look forward to hearing what he has to say on the issue.