Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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188. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware of a report (details supplied) relating to the planned cull of rabbits at Derrynane National Park, which recommends that Fenn traps are not used due to the suffering they can cause, that the proposed shooting of rabbits using certain rifles is not carried out because "neither weapon is suitable for culling rabbits", and which highlights the "significant welfare concerns associated with ferreting rabbits"; and if he will act to stop the cull. [51582/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works is continually looking at options to successfully manage the landscapes and properties in a way that is beneficial to wildlife and biodiversity, particularly at locations such as Derrynane, which contains wildlife habitats protected at a European level that require protection.

I can advise my officials issued a tender for services for a proposed rabbit cull at Derrynane, on the advice of ecologists, who are finalising a report on the sand dunes at Derrynane. There is no timeline for delivery of the services in the tender documents as culls of this nature are determined by weather conditions.

As previously advised, it is envisaged that the controls may be undertaken sometime between 1 November 2023 and the end of January 2024.

The Office of Public Works will follow the advice received from expert groups. It should be noted that the Wildlife Act of 1976 relates to protected species, and that rabbits are not a protected species.