HARE COURSING IN NORTHERN IRELAND

That this House expresses concern at the low population of the Irish hare in Northern Ireland; notes the Biodiversity Species Action Plan target to double the present population of the Irish hare by 2010; notes the call from independent scientist at Queen's University Belfast to remove the Irish hare from the quarry list; and urges the Government to grant the Irish hare protection from hunting and coursing under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order.