Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the concerns of wildlife officers in his Department that the deer hunted by a hunt (details supplied) are tame, farmed deer and should not be subjected to a hunt by hounds; if he will defer the granting of a licence to hunt farmed deer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22294/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 provides that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may grant to the master or other person in charge of a pack of stag hounds, a licence authorising the hunting of deer by that pack, during such period or periods as is or are specified in the licence. I sought advice from the Attorney General as to the view that this section might not apply to domesticated deer. The Attorney General has confirmed that Section 26 provides for the licensing of hunting for deer by stag hounds irrespective of whether the deer are wild or captive-bred. That advice has addressed this concern in relation to the licensing of the hunt. I will be making a decision on the licence application shortly.