Deer management strategy lacks focus on road safety, Nolan
Government departments have a 'pass-the-parcel' approach to legitimate deer collision concerns on Ireland's roads.
This was the reaction from independent TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan, who criticised a decision to disallow a parliamentary question she submitted to the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, on the matter.
The question was disallowed under Standing Order 45 on the grounds that the minister had "no responsibility" for the matter, according to Deputy Nolan.
"This sends a very poor signal to those motorists, passengers and families who have been left traumatised and indeed seriously out of pocket, by collisions involving deer on our roads.
"These incidents can result in serious injury, significant vehicle damage and, in some circumstances, loss of life," she said.
Road safety policy
Deputy Nolan stressed that people "are entitled to know that the government minister whose clear remit involves road safety policy, is taking the road safety dimensions of this issue seriously".
She added that it was particularly concerning that the question was ruled outside the responsibility of the Department of Transport.
Nolan stated that a reply she subsequently received from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, explicitly pointed her towards the Department of Transport on the road safety aspect of the issue.
"I specifically asked whether the Department of Transport had assessed the road safety risks associated with increasing deer populations, and what measures, if any, were being taken to address deer-related collisions."
Management strategy
In his reply Minister Heydon said his department, along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, had established the Irish Deer Management Strategy group "to develop a strategy for the sustainable management of deer in Ireland".
"The group comprised representatives from my department, National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte," he said.
A report entitled 'Developing a Sustainable Deer Management Strategy for Ireland' had since been published in December 2023.
"The report concluded that a formal structure was required to manage deer in Ireland.
"This involved the appointment of a programme manager to implement the recommendations of the report and the establishment of local deer management units in known hotspot areas," according to Minister Heydon.
He explained that the programme manager, "through the local deer management units" now liaises with licensed hunters and landowners "in relation to the management of deer populations within the deer management units".
However, Minister Heydon stated that "any queries in relation to safety on public roads should be directed to the Department of Transport who has responsibility for the Road Safety Authority".
