Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The fox is one of the most common and widely distributed mammals in Ireland and, while I have responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts relating to the conservation and management of populations of certain wild animals, I have no regulatory role in relation to foxes, as they are not a protected species under those Acts.

Foxes are widespread across Ireland and, like all wild animals, their populations fluctuate naturally.  No national census of urban foxes has been undertaken. However, data collated on the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s website shows that foxes are found in every county of Ireland and have adapted to the urban and suburban landscape.

My Department has no plans at present to introduce measures to control fox populations in urban areas. Control of foxes in such areas is generally not considered to be effective as new animals will quickly occupy any vacant territories. I understand that control programmes in the UK were abandoned when it became apparent they were having no impact on fox numbers. It may be noted that foxes also play an important role in pest control, given that much of their diet is composed of rats and mice.