Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1456: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action that has been taken against coursing clubs who break section 44 of the Wildlife Act by removing hares from islands without permission. [32152/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 1502: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he will take against coursing clubs who allegedly breached section 44 of the Wildlife Act by removing hares from islands without the permission of the landowners (details supplied); the steps that are being taken to prevent a recurrence. [33252/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1456 and 1502 together.

My Department has issued a licence to the Irish Coursing Club to capture live hares under the Wildlife Acts for the 2010-2011 season. The licence states that it does not authorise any person to enter on any land without the permission of the owner or occupier of the land. Under the Wildlife Acts my Department can initiate prosecutions against Coursing Clubs where there is evidence that they have entered on lands to capture hares without the permission of the owner or occupier of the land.

My Department is currently investigating a number of allegations in relation to the unlawful capturing of hares by coursing clubs during the 2009-2010 season.