Deer road safety in Kerry
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae warns that deer are causing dangerous accidents around Kerry and asks the Government to intervene, even suggesting Army action. The Minister says licences can be applied for and that a deer management programme and cull are already in place, but the Deputy says it is only tokenism.
Safety on our roads is paramount. In Kerry, people are facing turmoil and tears with deer on the roads. The deer are entering towns and villages, and estates around Killarney, and they have taken the place over. Cars are having accidents and people have died. People's cars have been broken and young fellows are crying after paying dearly for insurance and getting their driver's licence. If someone shoots a deer, the national parks, the rangers and the guards all come down on top of them. Yet when the deer damage a car and people are injured or die as a result of these accidents, which has happened, no one does anything about it.
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach call out the Army? Will he do something to make our roads safe around Kerry? The deer are taking over.
Comment on this
Anybody can apply to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for a licence. There is also a deer management programme in place for Killarney National Park. I believe a cull is under way there at present. If the Deputy has any specific instances which he would like to bring to our attention, I ask him to do so, please.
Comment on this
It is only tokenism. It is not working.