Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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364. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if given the biodiversity crisis, the pressure on the Irish hare and due to animal welfare issues if he will refuse to issue 2023-2024 hare coursing licences and a remove of the species from the Open Season Order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32404/23]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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366. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he plans to issue the annual licence for hare coursing. [32463/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I am considering the application from the Irish Coursing Club in relation to the 2023/24 open season and a decision will issue in due course.

The Irish hare is listed on Annex V of EU Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive) and this listing requires member states to manage the species’ sustainably. The Habitats Directive also requires Ireland to make a detailed report every six years on the conservation status of all listed species, including the Irish hare. Ireland’s most recent report in 2019 included a comprehensive assessment of the range, population status, habitat and threats for the Irish hare. The report can be viewed here: www.npws.ie/publications/article-17-reports/article-17-reports-2019.

The 2019 report notes that the hare is widespread and common in Ireland with a broad habitat niche; it is found throughout the country from coastal habitats to upland heath and bog. While the report does highlight some concerns about the loss of habitat quality due to agricultural intensification and afforestation, overall the species is considered to be in favourable conservation status. In addition, the most recent Red Data List for Mammals in Ireland (2019) confirmed that the species is not threatened; it assessed the Irish hare as “Least concern". Further details are available at the following link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/Red%20List%20No.%2012%20Mammals.pdf”.

There are no plans at present to review the Mammals Open Seasons Order.