Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of deer killed during the 2004-05 Ward Union hunt; the causes of death; the circumstances in which they sustained fatal injuries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37369/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The report on the monitoring of the Ward Union hunt for the 2004-05 season compiled by Department of Agriculture and Food veterinary inspector indicated that two stags died during hunts. Both animals died following recapture: one from a ruptured pericardium and the other from a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Prior to issuing a licence for the 2005-06 season, officials of my Department met representatives of the Ward Union hunt and outlined their concerns that these fatalities occurred. The outcome was the inclusion of new conditions in the licence to improve recapture procedures and limiting recapture of the deer to when this can be done without danger to the deer.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a licence was granted to the Ward Union hunt due to the recommendation of the local regional manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service that it may be highly illegal and should not be licensed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37374/05]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if she will intervene to stop the Ward Union deer hunt on the grounds that it breaches the Protection of Animals Act. [37478/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 247 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 528 of 29 November 2005. Issues relating to animal welfare are the statutory responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture and Food under section 2 of the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1965 and section 1 of the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984.