Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
692. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will be formulating plans to address the recent declaration by the EU of sika deer as an invasive species; if such a plan involves a cull of sika deer; and if so, the State agencies that will be used to assist or carry out such a cull. [9229/26]
View answer710. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will engage and consult with a group (details supplied) regarding S.I. No. 374/2024 - European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 on the designation of Fallow and Sika deer as invasive alien species; if he will confirm he will apply the lawful EU derogation as intended for Ireland; if he will make no further changes to current open seasons (section 29 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 as amended) for wild deer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9751/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 710 together.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, as well as the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024, all of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species.
Sika deer (Cervus Nippon) is listed as a non-native species (invasive species) subject to restrictions on the Third Schedule to the 2011 Regulations and as an invasive alien species on the First Schedule to the 2024 Regulations. It is also an invasive alien species of Union concern, having been included in the most recent update to the Union list in July 2025.
Overgrazing by deer is a serious pressure and threat for native woodlands across Ireland, Deer densities in Wicklow in particular, but also in parts of Tipperary, Waterford, Donegal and Galway, are above a sustainable level for land management activities and are impacting on farming, forestry, nature conservation and biodiversity
Government departments and agencies have been working for some time on national measures. The EU listing provides for Union wide efforts to manage this species.
There are no plans to seek a derogation to this listing. The situation regarding Sika deer in Ireland will not change as a result of it being listed as an invasive alien species of Union concern. The species is already present and widely spread in Ireland. As such, eradication measures are not considered feasible. Where a species is widespread, management measures are more appropriate and are provided for in national and EU legislation.
The NPWS is working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the interdepartmental Deer Management Strategy Group to reduce numbers of all deer species in Ireland, including Red, Sika and Fallow. The group is already engaged in developing management measures to address the adverse effects of non-native deer populations, including Sika, in Ireland. Their report, published in December 2023 is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/press-releases/launch-of-deer-management-strategy-group-report/
Finally, there is no requirement for Sika deer to be culled en masse as a result of the listing
The deer open seasons order was last amended in 2024 (under S.I. 66 of 2024) where the seasons were extended. There are currently no plans to make further amendments to the open seasons order.
