Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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715. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a report (details supplied) supported by his Department confirmed only ten deer were culled by 15 hunters over an area of 69,283 hectares during the period of 6 January 2016 to 31 July 2016 in County Wicklow and during the same period just two minor road traffic accidents involving deer were recorded in the same area, his views on whether the findings of this report suggest recent claims of out of control deer numbers and calls for additional deer culls are misleading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11845/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Wildlife Acts  responsibility for and the management of wild deer on public lands and the issuing of hunting licences to hunters and others lies with the Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The report referred to, which is an interim report, actually records 12 deer as being shot for the period mentioned. The figures are qualified in the report which states that, to establish an accurate estimate of deer densities, requires substantial resources over a protracted period and that there is substantial anecdotal evidence of deer sightings as well as clear evidence of adverse impacts. It goes on to say that the results rely on levels of observance townland by townland accurately noting of deer events  as well as a commitment to keep records and that the data in Appendix L does not cover extensive sightings without dates.

With regard to whether additional culls are necessary, I should point out that the Irish Deer Management Forum, which was established for the purpose of implementation of short and long-term deer management objectives, has recommended that, in the interest of deer welfare, a programme to reduce deer density should be designed and undertaken in the Calary Area in Wicklow within prescribed seasons and measures.