James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 685: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the granting of a licence to a hunt (details supplied), in view of the important role it plays in the equestrian sector, the service it provides to farmers and the role it plays in the rural community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3357/08]

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.

Following these deliberations I decided in December 2007 to issue a licence to the Hunt subject to twenty-eight conditions. I am of the view that the licence subject to these conditions will allow for the hunting of stags in a manner which is consistent with considerations of animal welfare, conservation and protection of stags.

I understand from media reports that the Ward Union Hunt has initiated a High Court challenge to the new conditions in the licence.