Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, knows, I am concerned about the deer population generally in County Kerry. There are two types of deer, the native red deer, a most magnificent wild animal, and the imported Japanese sika deer. Frankly, I do not mind what the Minister of State does with the Japanese species which I do not think has a proper place in the national park. He can remove all of them. The only cull that should take place among the native red deer should involve old and infirm animals. As for the sika deer, it can be open season. I do not know how many hundred there are, but we want to protect the native red deer.

I accept that deer have caused some accidents. In that regard, I am particularly concerned about accidents occurring on the Killarney to Killorglin road. The provision of further fencing would be of great help in keeping deer within the bounds of the national park. As I do not think the erection of fencing would be possible on the Killarney to Kenmare road, perhaps more signage might be provided to warn motorists.

The Department has received a communication from the Wild Deer Association of Ireland. I suspect it has its own agenda and wants a licence from the Department to shoot deer in the national park. That would be extremely dangerous and is not something I would recommend at all. In fact, I recommend that the Minister of State have a meeting with the Kerry Deer Society. At this point I must declare an interest in that I am a member of the society. We are conservationists, not hunters, unlike some of the others. Through engagement with the Minister of State and his officials, a proper policy on the management of deer could be worked out satisfactorily.

I see a Senator from County Mayo present in the Chamber. She reminded me recently of a national park in that county, Ballycroy National Park.