Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1970 > Committee of Public Accounts > Interim and Final Report - Appropriation Accounts 1967 - 1968

APPENDIX 43.

PHOENIX PARK: (a) DEER HERD, (b) ACCIDENTS

Qns, 1699, 1702

An Rúnaí.

An Coiste Um Chuntais Phoiblí.

Teach Laighean

Baile Átha Cliath 2.

At my examination before the Public Accounts Committee on 21st May, 1970, I undertook to investigate some matters relating to the management of the Phoenix Park.

(a) It was suggested that instead of shooting the surplus deer we might consider giving them to persons who would care for them as pets. Generally the herd is thinned by shooting weaklings and sometimes a number of fawns. Weaklings would be unsuitable for presentation. The rearing of fawns after capture is difficult and the mortality rate in such cases is very high. An exchange of animals with owners of other park deer herds, if it were feasible, might be mutually beneficial in improving the quality of each other’s herds. I understand that the Department of Lands has been considering such a suggestion. We shall maintain communication with them on the subject.

(b) I was asked to say who would be liable if a child were injured in the Park by a horse from a local riding school. I understand that, prima facie, if a mounted horse injured a person the rider would be liable if he had been so negligent as to have caused the injury. Other people’s negligence might have contributed to the accident. The ordinary law relating to accidents would obtain, and as the Phoenix Park is State property the Commissioners would be entitled to plead the State’s immunity in tort should any action be brought against them.

Oifigeach Cuntasaíochta,

Oifig na nOíbreacha Poiblí.

20 Iúil, 1970.