Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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606. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to a recent announcement regarding the culling of deer in Killarney National Park in County Kerry, how many deer are going to be culled; who is going to be engaged; the process for selecting the persons who will perform the culling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39421/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. With regard to Killarney National Park, every year, as part of the ongoing management of deer populations within the Park, deer numbers may need to be reduced. It is intended to commence culling later this month, once the rut has finished. This work will be undertaken by qualified and competent National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel of my Department. The proposed cull is no different to what has happened in previous years.

I recognise that the red deer of Killarney National Park and the surrounding area are of national conservation significance and that the subject of culling is quite emotive. There is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels, and in a responsible and ethical manner. My Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as in Wicklow and Killarney National Parks and I am aware that deer species are increasing in range and numbers. Where appropriate, and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls need to be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.