Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received correspondence in relation to a licence for a hunt (details supplied); his plans to progress this matter in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30305/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 provides that I 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.

The Ward Union Hunt applied to my Department for a hunting licence for the 2007/2008 season. In my consideration of the licence application I raised a number of issues of serious concern with the Ward Union Hunt including in relation to animal welfare, conservation and protection of stags generally and compliance with previous licence conditions. Meetings were held between my Department and representatives of the Ward Union Hunt and correspondence was exchanged with the Hunt in order to convey my serious concerns and provide them with an opportunity to address these concerns.

I have given careful consideration to the responses provided by the Ward Union Hunt. There are however some outstanding issues that need to be resolved and my Department was in further contact with the Ward Union Hunt on Monday 19 November to seek clarification on these issues.