Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí. I thank both Senators for raising this really important issue. While the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department licenses the hunting of deer and actively manages deer on its property, it does not own the deer population nor is it responsible for cordoning it into specific areas of land. Deer populations are mobile by their nature and have home ranges that are not constrained by land ownership boundaries.These home ranges are normally defined by physical landscape features such as mountains, lakes, rivers, built-up areas and the availability of suitable habitat within that home range.

Deer on any lands can be controlled by the landowner, once that control is in accordance with current legislation - in this case, the Wildlife Act. During the annual open season, deer can legally be shot under licence. The season operates generally from 1 September to the last day of February, depending on the species and gender of deer. My Department has received over 5,800 applications so far this season for deer hunting licences under section 29 of the Wildlife Act. There were some delays in 2020, due to Covid, in terms of the licensing, but we have made significant progress in the processing of licences this year. We will endeavour to move a lot of the process online, which will make it more efficient to issue licences.

In terms of private property, landowners may apply to my Department for permission, under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, to cull deer outside the annual open seasons, where it is deemed necessary. These permissions offer a facility whereby a person can obtain a permit, on a case-by-case basis, to prevent serious damage caused by individual deer on specific lands. Applications are investigated by local staff to determine if serious damage is being caused and, if so, the most practical method of stopping or controlling the problem. Permissions are only issued where there is evidence of such damage.

My colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, and I have been in communication in recent weeks regarding the re-establishment of a version of the Irish Deer Management Forum, where it is planned that many topics on deer management will be discussed. I am really keen to see this initiative progressed. Our officials are currently working together to establish the structures of such a forum. Further details will be made available in due course.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is committed to the active management of the deer species within State-owned national parks and nature reserves, and as part of its regular ongoing management operations, the NPWS carries out regular surveys, censuses and reports on deer on our sites. Where appropriate, and depending on the annual counts, or where it is evident that damage is being caused by deer to habitats, particularly woodland, culls may need to be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences. Such culls are undertaken by NPWS staff.

The Department does not permit hunting on its State lands, with the exception of areas where the NPWS does not control, or fully control, the sporting rights. Culling is a regular and ongoing management operation within the national parks. My Department is aware of the economic damage deer pose, particularly in County Wicklow. To that end, specific arrangements have been put in place for the area. My officials also contribute to the Wicklow Deer Management group.

In summary, I have met with the Irish Deer Commission and other interested parties regarding this issue. I am very keen, as I know the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is, to see the establishment of a forum to deal with these issues. It is critically important that we understand and appreciate the scale of the challenges that we are facing regarding deer management from a biodiversity point of view, and the spread of disease.