2719. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that there have only been four inspections out of 200 coursing events in a five year period (details supplied). [61923/26]

Animal Welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. My Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and takes this matter most seriously.

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 of 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.

It is important to note that coursing clubs are required to ensure that an independent private veterinary practitioner (PVP) is in attendance at each coursing event. The PVP is required to submit a signed report on the general health of the hares and on any injuries or deaths that occur during the meeting. This report must be submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage within four weeks of the date in which the meeting finished.