Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very grateful to the Minister of State for coming to the Senate on this issue this morning and for his positive outlook in what he has said about the deer meriting conservation. I urge him to have a meeting in early course with the Kerry Deer Society, whose members would be most anxious to sit down with him.

Our views are broadly in line and we accept that where some serious damage is done it can be examined on a case-by-case basis. If deer are on a person's property, they are under the ownership of the landowner who can apply to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for a licence, which is understandable. In a general sense, these are worthy of conservation and I accept everything the Minister of State has said in that regard. I would be happy to facilitate his meeting the Kerry Deer Society in early course.