Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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199. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she proposes to take in view of recent evidence that the Ward Union Hunt continues to engage in stag hunting. [12668/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 makes it an offence to hunt deer with two or more dogs. It is understood that since the enactment of the legislation the Ward Union Hunt have operated a “drag hunt” in order to comply with the legislation. This form of hunting involves the release of a deer to set a scent over a course. Following the recapture of the deer, the hounds and horses follow the scent. This practice is not considered to be hunting, as defined in the Wildlife Acts. Both the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department and An Garda Siochana are currently investigating alleged breaches of the legislation and if there is sufficient evidence to support the alleged breaches, prosecutions will be brought under the Wildlife Acts.