Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he granted licences to two coursing clubs (details supplied) to hold coursing meetings on a day not specified in the hares order, that is, 25 September 2010. [42399/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Section 26(3) of the Wildlife Act 1976 allows me, as Minister, to grant a licence to a coursing club to undertake hare coursing on a day or days which are outside the Open Season Order dates, (the period between 26 September and 28 February). The two clubs referred to in the question applied to my Department to hold meetings on Saturday 25 September, 2010. I approved these two applications as most meetings are traditionally held at weekends and given the fact that the granting of licences would not result in additional coursing meetings being held. Similar licences were issued to clubs in previous years.