Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Moloney for raising the matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys. Wild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. It should be noted that while the National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht licenses hunting of deer, the Department does not own the deer population. They roam freely throughout the countryside and are present in many parts of the country. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine published Deer Management in Ireland - Framework for Action in March last year, which recommends a series of actions on deer management and conservation in a number of areas, including addressing the impact of deer in places where they are widespread. An Irish deer management forum has been established to implement the various actions listed in the report. The forum comprises representatives from the main stakeholder areas such as landowners, forestry, hunting and conservation organisations as well as representatives from both Departments.

With regard to calls for increased fencing relating to incidents of deer presence on public roads in Kerry, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has no plans to fence the national park. Deer, albeit larger, are like other wild animals in this country and I am advised it is not part of the remit of the Department to cordon them onto specific areas of land. Moreover, fencing the national park would not be a viable solution and would not achieve the desired results for a number of reasons. The presence of deer is not confined to the national parks and so fencing of these properties would serve no practical purpose in terms of wild deer control or management. The park is more than 10,000 ha in size, including some rugged terrain. Fencing this area would be an enormous task which is unlikely to result in the desired objective. Sika deer are capable of going under fencing that is 8 in. off the ground while red deer are capable of knocking fences that are preventing them from reaching traditional feeding and shelter grounds.The erection of a fence of this scale could also impact on the sensitive habitats within the park. There are many deer outside the park boundaries which would still be capable of running into the path of motorists. The Department is of the view that improving sight lines for motorists as well as improved, possibly larger, signage is likely to be the most effective measure to assist motorists in remaining vigilant when driving through areas where populations of deer can be expected. Officials from the Department have discussed this with Kerry County Council and I understand the council has recently undertaken works to improve sight lines in the Ballydowney area for the benefit of motorists. Additional or relocated advance deer warning signs, or both, may also be provided by the local authority.