Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1979. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the deer management forum last met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14915/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In 2015, my Department, together with the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht, published Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action, which recommends a series of actions on deer management and conservation in a number of areas, including addressing the impact of deer in places where they are abundant.

The Irish Deer Management Forum was established to implement the various actions listed in the Report.  The forum last met in March 2018. The Forum itself comprised representatives from the main stakeholder areas such as landowners, forestry, hunting and conservation organisations, as well as representatives from both Departments.   

The Report provides for a review of the workings of the Irish Deer Management Forum after three years.  Both my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is the parent Department of the NPWS, are in the process of examining the future direction of the Forum and its aims in the context of representation on the Forum as well as funding mechanisms.