Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, to the House. Senator Coghlan has four minutes to introduce this all-Kerry motion.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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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.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Paul Coghlan for raising this matter. I appreciate the Senator has a very good knowledge of the national park in Killarney. As a trustee of Muckross House and having devoted a long number of years to the welfare and development of the park, including its wildlife, it is appropriate that he raise this matter.

Nationally, wild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. There is an annual open season during which deer can be legally shot under licence. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to the last day of February, depending on the species and gender of deer.

On deer policy in general, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, recently published Deer Management in Ireland - A Framework for Action, 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, and representatives from both Departments.

In Killarney National Park, park rangers during their normal daily duties often take spot counts of deer on the lowlands. Sika deer numbers are not out of control in the park and are at much lower densities than can be found in Wicklow, for example. However, the National Parks and Wildlife Service would like to further reduce the numbers of this non-native species.

Red deer numbers have not significantly increased in the uplands of Killarney National Park. However, lowland numbers have increased, and these deer are highly visible. It is intended to commence culling this population in November once the rut has finished. It should be noted that pressure was exerted on red deer in areas adjacent to the park when they were on the open season order. This may have resulted in red deer entering the park for sanctuary.

With respect to the ongoing management of the deer population, the intention of any cull would be to focus on the red deer populations in Muckross and Knockreer in the first instance. The National Parks and Wildlife Service believes fencing the national park would not be viable and would not achieve the desired results for a number of reasons. First, as the presence of deer is not confined to the national parks, fencing of these properties would not serve any practical purpose in terms of wild deer control or management. Second, the park is more than 10,000 ha. in size and includes some rugged terrain. Fencing this area would be an enormous task, which would be unlikely to result in the desired objective. Third, sika deer are capable of going under fencing that is eight inches off the ground, while red deer are capable of knocking fences that are preventing them from reaching traditional feeding and shelter grounds. Fourth, the erection of a fence of this size would also impact on the sensitive habitats within the park. Fifth, there are many deer outside the park boundaries which would still be capable of running into the path of motorists.

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is of the view that improving sight lines for motorists and improved signage are likely to be the most effective measures to assist motorists when driving through areas where populations of deer can be expected. These populations roam freely throughout the countryside and are present in many parts of the country.

I am aware that there have been calls in some quarters for the Department to carry out a national deer census. The Department does not have the resources to carry out or co-ordinate a national deer count. A large part of the deer population lives in forestry or woodland and it is particularly difficult to achieve reliable counts in such dense cover. There is no evidence to suggest there is any threat to Ireland's deer population.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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While I agree with some of the comments made by the Minister of State, I strongly urge that the cull be confined to sika deer. This is a question of husbandry.If there are too many red deer on the lowlands, they could be moved.

I accept the Minister of State's remarks on a census. While it might not be possible, I would rely on the rangers. Their approximations would be good enough for us. I do not accept that the red deer population in Muckross and Knockreer should be culled in the first instance. The fencing that I am calling for would affect only red deer and stretch 100 yd, 200 yd or, at most, 300 yd from the end of the wall of the Castlerosse car park on the western side. This would address the coroner's concerns by reducing the number of accidents on that busy stretch of road. There is no question of fencing on the Kenmare Road. As the Minister of State suggested, though, perhaps there could be improved signage to warn of the presence of deer.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Minister recognises that the red deer of Killarney National Park and the surrounding area are of national conservational significance and that the subject of culling is emotive. There is a considerable challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that the deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels and in a responsible and ethical manner. The Department conducts localised annual deer counts on State lands, such as the Wicklow and Killarney national parks. Deer species are increasing in range and number. Where appropriate and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls need to be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.

Regarding road accidents, I remain of the view that improved sight lines and signage for motorists are likely to be the most effective measures to assist them when driving through areas where deer populations can be expected.