Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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6. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the recorded number of golden eagles in Ireland; the number of Irish red deer recorded; if he is satisfied with the conservation efforts relating to both species here; his plans regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17787/14]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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This question aims to give us the opportunity to explore one of the most exciting aspects of the Minister's responsibilities, the whole area of conservation by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and specifically the success to date of the reintroduction of the golden eagle. That project is proceeding. I am aware the Minister has a great interest in it. There is also the conservation effort in terms of the Irish red deer herd. The Minister will also admit to having a particular interest in that project given that Kerry has been the seat of learning, so to speak, in terms of what has been done with the native species.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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A total of 61 golden eagles were released in Glenveagh National Park in Donegal between 2001 and 2012 as part of a reintroduction programme managed by the Golden Eagle Trust in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. I am advised that a national census of golden eagles is not feasible as the birds released in Glenveagh have dispersed widely. Some have been seen in counties Kerry and Antrim as well as in Scotland. However, I understand that some 20 birds are known to be in Ireland, with the whereabouts of another 20 or so unknown. At least four birds have died of natural causes and to, my great disappointment, some have been poisoned illegally. To date, ten Irish-bred golden eagle chicks have been reared in Donegal, between 2007 and 2013, and there are now eight golden eagle territories in the county.

Two primary factors impact on the success of the breeding programme. The first is poisoning, aimed at fox and crow control, and the main cause of mortality. My Department has improved the law in regard to poison baits and has a protocol with the regional veterinary laboratories of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the State Laboratory to enable quick post mortems and toxicology analysis. Uncontrolled fires and both under-grazing and overgrazing also have an impact. These issues will continue to require significant co-operation by the many stakeholders involved. Overall, I am pleased with progress in the golden eagle reintroduction project. It brought back these spectacular birds to our skies, thereby increasing interest in our biodiversity and boosting local tourism.

With regard to red deer, no national census has been undertaken as many live in dense cover in our forest plantations. However, an academic review by Dr. Ruth Carden concluded that, in the 30 year period up to 2008, the range of red deer had increased significantly - in the order of five-fold. As part of the conservation measures taken to ensure the continued protection of the red deer, the hunting of red deer stags is prohibited in County Kerry. In October 2012, I extended protection to female red deer from County Kerry by removing them from the open seasons order. Overall, given the increase in range of the red deer, I am confident that the conservation measures adopted so far have been effective.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his response and welcome the undoubted progress made in respect of the golden eagle. The whole country was shocked when one of the two chicks from the breeding pair on Lough Derg was found early this year or late last year, having died of starvation. That bird was carrying in the order of 40 pellets when found. What prosecutions have been instigated against those who have been responsible for that incident or other incidents and the destruction of these magnificent birds?

In regard to the herd of Irish deer, at the turn of the last century there were about 1,500 red deer in Kerry due to the work of the Herberts and the Brownes in their large estates. Red deer is the only native Irish species of deer. The number had declined to about 60 in 1960, but the number is increasing again. Does the Minister envisage a count of those deer being undertaken in the near future?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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On the matter of prosecution, obviously these incidents are being pursued by the Garda but I am not aware of any prosecution for the incident referred to, which received widespread publicity. I am sure people were very much aware of the incident in that particular area, but as yet I am not aware of any prosecution. We have had discussions with the Garda on this matter and members of the force are carrying out extensive investigations and inquiries. Much depends, however, on the local community coming forward with information because it is impossible for the Garda to monitor everything that happens in rural areas. I hope, with co-operation from local gun clubs and the local population, these incidents will not happen in the future.

On the matter of the red deer, the red deer in Killarney are regularly counted and monitored. There are approximately 600 red deer in the national park. Recent deer census studies of Coillte properties in close proximity to the national park indicate that the population immediately adjacent to the park had declined due to shooting pressures pre-2012. This is one of the primary reasons red hinds have been removed from the open seasons order. Generally the view is that their present status within the park is satisfactory. On the question of further counting, that is an issue I will suggest to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. I think it would be a good idea.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his response. I suppose all of us here would encourage the public to be vigilant in terms of the golden eagle project and to report to the authorities any activities of an undesirable nature that they see in respect of those magnificent birds. As I have said, there is widespread support for what is being done by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

In regard to the red deer, it has always struck me as strange that the magnificent Phoenix Park in this city is populated by a herd of fallow deer. One wonders, since fallow deer are quite common, as are the sika species, whether it would be desirable in the short to medium term to consider relocating some of the Kerry deer to the Phoenix Park in order that, in our primary city park, we could have examples of that magnificent species, the Irish red deer. I think visitors to the city would like to see the native species grazing there.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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If that is possible, certainly I would support what the Deputy has said and I will ask my officials to examine that. There may be some issue with mixing two species and there may be some reason this has not happened. If it can happen, I agree with the Deputy that red deer would be a major attraction and a major addition to the Phoenix Park, which is one of the most spectacular parks in any city in the world. This is a matter I will suggest to my officials and, if it can be done, it would be another great contribution that my county has made to this wonderful city and this wonderful county. We gave this great city Daniel O'Connell-----

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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And red deer.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Do not teach them how to play football.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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-----who provided Glasnevin Cemetery and other great buildings to the city, and we have made a contribution in other ways as well. This is one contribution I would support.