ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley has increased the number of licences to shoot deer by 47pc in the past three years.

Mr Gormley has allowed the number of licences for 'deer stalking' to increase to more than 4,000 today from about 2,700 three years ago.

The figures come after the Wild Deer Association of Ireland (WDAI) yesterday said the minister's proposals to ban stag hunting were "mischievous" and "vacuous".

At the Oireachtas Environment Committee, the WDAI claimed Mr Gormley's bill to ban stag hunting with horses would also go as far as banning deer stalking.

Deer stalking, a licensed sport, is when hunters on foot shoot deer -- and only release their dogs to find a wounded deer, if needed.

The WDAI claimed a section of the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010 would ban deer stalking and could hinder efforts to keep the deer population under control. But a spokesman for Mr Gormley said it was not the minister's intention to ban deer stalking, but to clamp down on the hunting of deer by hounds and people on horseback.

Mr Hannigan said the section of the bill that says "the holder of a licence or permission ... who hunts deer with two or more dogs shall be guilty of an offence" would ban deer stalking.

Mr Gormley's spokesman said an amendment to the legislation would be brought in to make sure this did not happen. It is under- stood an amendment would exempt licensed hunters.

Meanwhile, some Fianna Fail TDs want the ban on stag hunting delayed to allow for further analysis of its impact. It was discussed at a party meeting last night after a motion was put down by some members.

- Fiach Kelly Political Correspondent