Darragh O'Brien forced to clarify he didn't sign off on pilot scheme to shoot seals

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien took to social media saying: 'I would not sign off on any pilot scheme which would involve fishermen shooting seals from a boat.' File picture: Dan Linehan

The minister for housing has been forced to clarify after a response to a parliamentary question, written in his name, said the Government was “examining the potential for a pilot scheme” which would see seals shot with high-powered rifles from boats.

The story, which ran in Monday’s Irish Examiner, quoted Darragh O’Brien’s response to Independent TD Michael Healy Rae-that the scheme would “determine its efficacy in protecting fishermen’s catches”.