Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to stop the damage being done to the tourism industry here and reputation as a result of the ongoing dispute between the national parks and wildlife service and local jarveys at Killarney National Park, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42834/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for managing Killarney National Park for the enjoyment and benefit of all, including tourists. Local jarveys use the park to ply their trade for financial gain.

The horse dung on the roads in the park is unsightly and smelly and is at odds with the national park ethos, conflicts with the beautiful landscape and is unattractive to tourists. It is also a health and safety issue.

NPWS has engaged in a lengthy consultation process with the jarveys, over two years, on controlling dung in the park. This has involved consideration of various options including the use of a dungcatcher device. A process of practical trialling dungcatcher devices on various terrains with different horses has been carried out and a number of demonstrations have been provided to the jarveys. These demonstrations which were backed up by expert equine, veterinary and animal welfare advice show that dungcatchers do work and are safe to use. The devices are used successfully in many countries across the world and there is no evidence that they cause difficulties. They are being offered to the jarveys free of charge. Recently, following a High Court case on this matter, which affirmed the NPWS right to manage the park, NPWS sought to move the issue forward by agreeing to appoint an independent person to facilitate the introduction of the device. Unfortunately, the jarveys would not engage with this person.

Having regard to the position outlined above, it is regrettable that the jarveys have effectively chosen to exclude themselves from the park. A minority group have placed pickets at the Muckross House gate entrance.

I am satisfied that NPWS has been reasonable and patient in its approach with the jarveys. While I am happy for the jarveys to use the park, such use must carry some responsibility and requires respect for other users. I hope that the jarveys will work with the NPWS for the benefit of all. On 20 November, NPWS again wrote to each jarvey asking if they would consider using the opportunity of this quiet tourism period, to try out the device at a time and a place that suits themselves. In addition, NPWS would again be willing to re-constitute an independent facilitation process to progress the matter and address issues that might arise during trialling. NPWS has prepared a DVD which has been offered with the dungcatcher, also free of charge, showing how to fit the device so it can be tried by the jarveys at their convenience.