Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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1762. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether a ban on hare coursing should be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45853/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Coursing is regulated under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann. The granting of licenses for the netting and tagging of hares is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage – National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). 

A monitoring committee on coursing is in place, comprising officials from my Department, the ICC and the NPWS, to monitor developments in coursing and, in that regard, the situation is kept under constant review to ensure that coursing is run in a controlled manner.

The committee meets annually to review the previous coursing season and consider any matters arising.

It is important that those involved in coursing operate in accordance with the regulatory framework and that the welfare of both hares and greyhounds is at the forefront at all times. 

I have no plans to change the existing legislation.