Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

20. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware of reports that the hare is extinct on Dublin Bay's North Bull Island; the action she proposes to take in relation to this important part of our wildlife; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16747/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Bull Island is monitored regularly by officers from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. Despite these efforts and those of local landowners, the hare population there has remained at very low levels for the past 20 years.

A 1995 estimate put the population at 15-20 animals. Since then there has been some declines, as well as introductions during the 1990s. One current estimate of the population put the number as low as 6, with another estimate at 10-15. Such low numbers are believed to be attributable to a number of potential pressures, particularly disturbance by dogs. I understand that the main landowner, Dublin City Council, is working proactively to raise awareness and address management issues.

While it is a matter for the landowners on the island to consider if they wish to translocate hares there, such a proposal would require a license from my Department under the Wildlife Acts and, in that regard, it would be important that conditions on the island would be suitable for a reintroduction programme.