Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his policy on hare coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11054/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Hare coursing in the State is administered by the Irish Coursing Club, a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. Statutory responsibility for the Act is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts relate to the conservation of populations of certain protected species, including hares. Where a licence to capture and tag hares under the Wildlife Acts is required, each licence application is dealt with individually, having regard to the conservation impact on the species. My Department has granted such licences to the Irish Coursing Club, on behalf of their affiliated clubs, in relation to the holding of coursing meetings during the 2011/2012 season.