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What are your politicians saying about blood sports
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports campaigns enjoy cross-party support. Please contact your anti-blood sports TDs/Senators to praise their efforts to get hunting and coursing banned. If your TD/Senator is in favour of animal cruelty, please let them know that their stance will affect your future voting decisions.
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Listed by Constituency
* CARLOW KILKENNY
Patrick Deering, TD (Fine Gael, Carlow Kilkenny):
Patrick Deering's director of elections in the 2011 General Election was Phil Meaney - "a member of the executive committee of the Irish Coursing Club and a member of the finance committee of the Irish Coursing Club" (Source Department of Agriculture website, 2011). Mr Meaney was subsequently appointed to the position of chairman of Bord na gCon. According to the Irish Independent of May 1st 2011, "The Government was in one hell of a hurry to appoint Mr Meaney to the top Bord na gCon job. [Agriculture Minister Simon] Coveney even admitted to having been politically lobbied, but insisted that was not a factor...Fine Gael Carlow TD, Pat Deering, conceded that he had lobbied on behalf of Mr Meaney."
Phil Hogan, TD (Fine Gael, Carlow Kilkenny):
Fine Gael environment spokesman Phil Hogan wrote to hunting associations in recent days, setting out the party's commitment to "oppose any change to existing licensing arrangements for stag hunting". The letter said that the party would "reverse any changes made by the present government in that regard" if it assumed government after the next general election. (From the Sunday Business Post, February 21, 2010)
"The Fine Gael Party is opposing every section of this legislation, including section 1 which sets out the definitions of the two Acts referred to in the Bill. We do not even agree that it should be entitled the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.475.0 Deputy Hogan voted against the Bill which banned staghunting.
"Fine Gael believes the hunt plays an important cultural and economic role in rural Ireland..."
Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 24 June 2010
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20100624.xml&Ex=All&Page=9
In January 2012, ICABS expressed disgust to Environment Minister Phil Hogan after he was photographed presenting a trophy at a hare coursing meeting. The Minister posed with the cup for a winning greyhound which had earlier bashed into a hare and sent it tumbling head over heels. More...
"Sevenhouses secretary Pat Loughlin said the coursing club had a long-standing relationship with Mr [Phil] Hogan. 'We'd net hares on the Hogan family farm. He caught hares with us when he was young,' he said." Irish Independent, April 06 2012.
"I am aware that the Minister has since then had several meetings with members of the Irish Coursing Club and Irish greyhound industry. I am sure he is now more familiar with the activities of people involved in breeding and offering pups for sale. Animal welfare issues are important to these people." Deputy Phil Hogan, Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009, 8 July 2010.
John McGuinness TD (Fianna Fail, Carlow-Kilkenny):
"The list of speakers [at a hunting fuction at Abbeyleix Manor Hotel on 3rd November 2012] was completed by John McGuinness TD, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee who expressed fulsome support for all field sports." From the Hunting Association website.
Ann Phelan, TD (Labour Party, Carlow Kilkenny):
"I ask the Minister to continue to review the legislation in the area of hare coursing. This morning, I discovered that hares are at an endangered level...If the practice is to the detriment of a particular species, it must be well regulated and continually monitored." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed), 20 September 2012.
John Paul Phelan, TD (Fine Gael, Carlow Kilkenny):
"At a recent meet of the Kilmoganny Hounds, members were canvassed for their support by successful Fine Gael candidates Tom Hayes (Tipperary South) and John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny)". From the Hunting Association of Ireland website. An accompanying photo shows "Tom Hayes and John Paul Phelan at a recent meet of the Kilmoganny Hounds" next to horses and hounds. (2011)
"I will not be supporting any ban on stag hunting." (2010)
* CAVAN MONAGHAN
Caoimhghin O Caolain, TD (Sinn Fein, Cavan Monaghan):
"I am totally opposed to live hare coursing."
Joe O’Reilly, TD (Fine Gael, Cavan Monaghan):
"Also central to my childhood was sport, by which I mean people going out to shoot in November, people going coursing or various forms of outdoor sport with beagles. Regardless of whether one likes it, the Ward Union Hunt is an integral part of rural society and rural life. The deer is not at risk in the physical sense... I am in favour of the Ward Union Hunt and have no quibbles about that." Speaking as a Senator, Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 30 June 2010
"I live beside a hunt known as the Drumlin Hounds in Cootehill. I am familiar with members of the hunt and know the dogs are well fed, cared for in an exemplary fashion and kept in the best possible conditions. Those involved in the hunt have an affection for their animals, are outdoors people and love sport...Next Friday week, I will attend a hunt ball in the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon in the Minister of State's constituency. I do so every year as the ball is an opportunity to meet a wonderful group of people from the Roscommon hunt who have a passion for what they do and love and care for their animals." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 10 February 2010.
Brendan Smith, TD (Fianna Fail, Cavan Monaghan):
According to the Summer 2008 edition of the Hunting Association's newsletter, Minister Brendan Smith "officially opens Drumlin Hounds Equestrian Facility". The Drumlin Hounds is a Cavan hunt affiliated to the Irish Masters of Harriers Assocation. "The course, [was] built by Drumlin Equestrian with the aid of a grant from the Government Sports Capital Scheme...Minister Smith commended the group on their vision, perseverance and personal commitment in pursuing and completing this project." Minister Smith was photographed alongside members of the hunt.
* CLARE
Pat Breen, TD (Fine Gael, Clare):
"We all know people in every parish in every county who take great pride in their greyhounds and Clare is no different. Many of the dog breeders there go to the greyhound tracks in Limerick or Galway every Friday and Saturday night and they look forward to that social event. Greyhound racing and coursing are extremely important...Many people are involved in coursing clubs, such as the Tradaree Coursing Club. They want to have a dog who will raise a flag and win a race in Clonmel or wherever...I visited the kennels of the County Clare Hunt, which are located in my parish of Drumquin." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage, 2nd June 2010
Joe Carey, TD (Fine Gael, Clare):
"I am a greyhound owner and breeder...I acknowledge and welcome the involvement of greyhound industry interests, including the IGB [and] Irish Coursing Club..." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Second Stage, 30 June 2011.
"I wish to put on record my opposition to this Bill and its knock-on effect on the greyhound industry. The Irish greyhound industry is a world leader and it has been allowed to grow and develop under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill will tamper with and have a very negative effect on the greyhound industry." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Discussion, 11 May 2010
"This column has gone to the dogs, so today, we are dedicating it to Taco Beauty, a dark brindle breeding bitch belonging to Clare TD Joe Carey. While speaking on the controversial dog breeding Bill in the Dail yesterday, Fine Gael's new assistant chief whip told his delighted colleagues that he just found out that his breeding bitch is in pup." from Miriam Lord's week column, Irish Times, 3rd July 2010
"Deputy Joe Carey: I welcome the Minister's new-found regard for the Irish Coursing Club." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009, 8th July 2010.
Timmy Dooley, TD (Fianna Fail, Clare):
"There is nothing in this legislation that can in any way impact on greyhound racing, hare coursing, fox hunting, fishing or shooting. I would not and will not support any legislation that would seek to ban any of these pursuits, which are an integral part of the fabric of rural life." from "Fianna Fáil resignation over stag ban", Clare Champion, 2010.
* CORK EAST
Tom Barry, TD (Fine Gael, Cork East):
"As a person who shoots game...Shooting at game are part of the countryside and will remain. I disagree fundamentally with people who say that we shouldn't be doing it at all." From a Dail debate on the Wildlife Act, featured on Oireachtas Report, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
Sean Sherlock, TD (Labour, Cork East):
"I am in favour of field sports and coursing and I have been at greyhound meetings. The people I represent are those who rear pups." Stated by Sean Sherlock during the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage, 8 July 2010.
"Cork East TD Sean Sherlock said he would reserve comment on stag hunting until the matter had been discussed internally. 'I believe there must be some sort of regulation but we must not regulate field sports out of existence.'" (Irish Times, April 29, 2010)
"Deputy Sean Sherlock: If [the Minister] were to support the amendment, that would give great solace to the Irish Greyhound Board, the Irish Coursing Club and to every single dog owner throughout the country who courses hares or races greyhounds in such places as Curraheen Park and Youghal." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage 8 July 2010.
Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Fein, Cork East):
"Sinn Fein welcomes the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012. It makes perfect sense to extend the current hunting licence provisions in the Wildlife Act 2010 that allow a hunter in possession of a firearm certificate to shoot wild birds and hares during the open season." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012 Watch on Youtube
"I acknowledge the contribution made by the vast majority of those involved in greyhound racing and coursing to the sporting and cultural landscape in Ireland, and in rural Ireland in particular, and to the welfare of dogs." From a Dail debate on the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30 June 2011
* CORK NORTH CENTRAL
Kathleen Lynch, TD (Labour Party, Cork North Central):
Kathleen Lynch, TD was due to take part [in a Late Late Show debate on hunting] as a main speaker on the panel, opposing a hunting representative. from Hunters run scared of Late Late Show, ICABS website, 10 January 2008.
Kathleen Lynch voted in favour of the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004. The bill was defeated by 67 votes to 50.
* CORK NORTH WEST
Michael Creed, TD (Fine Gael, Cork North West):
In a statement issued in October 2009, Michael Creed, TD stated: "Fine Gael supports country sports which are carried out humanely, properly supervised and monitored and that do not involve any undue risk to animal welfare. If these criteria can be satisfied Fine Gael does not oppose properly licensed country sports activities. Fine Gael will oppose any move by Government to deny groups who have conducted their activities as per their licences, the right to continue to pursue these activities in the future. We believe that imposing a ban on these licensed activities would be a retrograde step both in terms of animal welfare and economically. "
Fine Gael's Spokesperson for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Michael Creed, has been asked by ICABS to stop defending the cruel blood sport of beagling. In a Sunday Independent report, the County Cork TD sided with the beaglers and criticised Minister John Gormley for restricting the beagling season. The June 1st 2008 article quoted Deputy Creed as saying that "any assault on the ordinary working man's pursuit of beagling by some Green metropolitan latte-drinking elite would not be taken lying down". For more information, see ICABS responds to Deputy Michael Creed's beagling remarks
Michael Moynihan TD (Fianna Fail, Cork North West):
"Those involved in the industry and coursing clubs are genuine, decent and honourable people, providing employment and entertainment and maintaining animal welfare standards second to none...We must acknowledge the voluntary contributions people made in Bord na gCon and the Irish Coursing Club. Many of them have been attacked from certain quarters. It is up to those who acknowledge these people’s contribution to stand up for them and point out that their sports are completely legitimate." From a Dail debate on the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30 June 2011
* CORK SOUTH CENTRAL
Jerry Buttimer, TD (Fine Gael, Cork South Central):
"As someone who has had a family involvement in greyhounds over the years, I think it is important that we understand the massive economic activity that the greyhound industry generates in Ireland...We must examine the issue of making greyhound racing and horse racing sustainable in this country. We must look at the betting industry here." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30th June 2011.
Simon Coveney (Fine Gael, Cork South Central):
"For the sake of clarity, this section does not apply to activity occurring during the normal course of hunting, fishing or coursing...We have done a separate review on fur farming, the details of which I can give to the Deputy. We will not ban it..." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch on Youtube
"It is not appropriate to simply outlaw hare coursing and hunting when they are pursued according the to the codes of conduct drawn up by clubs. Considerable numbers of people are passionate about these pursuits and my job is to ensure that standards are met rather than simply outlawing practices." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 20th, 2012.
"We went to great lengths to ensure we were not doing anything that would prevent people from continuing to participate in field sports as they would have in the past, as long as that is in a way that is consistent with the codes of conduct enshrined in those sports, including coursing, hunting and fishing. The measure applies only if there is undue cruelty such as the digging out of animals when they have gone to ground, which is unacceptable. In the legislation I am not banning coursing and hunting through the back door. We are trying to get the balance right between facilitating field sports and ensuring the codes of practice agreed for those sports are respected. If people begin to operate outside these codes, that is a different issue." Simon Coveney (Minister, Department of Agriculture, the Marine and Food; Cork South Central, Fine Gael) Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage, 22 May 2012 Watch on Youtube
"I have probably answered Deputy Colreavy's arguments on whether fur-farming and coursing are absolutely necessary. They are not. When something is not necessary for people to live and eat, it is a judgment call whether that means one should ban activities such as coursing and fur-farming, whether or not one likes them. It is my judgment that we should regulate rather than ban them." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (Continued), 22 November 2012
"I am trying to get balanced legislation that takes account of farming and hunting practices in a reasonable way, but also provides appropriate protection for animals to ensure that we do not have either wanton or accidental cruelty because neither is acceptable." Dail Eireann Questions and Answers, 10th May 2012
Ciaran Lynch, TD (Labour Party, Cork South Central):
"Everyone is looking for legislation to be introduced in this House to deal with the scandalous practices that have existed in Irish puppy farming for a significant period of time. Like other political parties, the Labour Party believes measures to deal with this scandal are long overdue...The Labour Party recognises that hunt clubs are not commercial dog-breeding establishments and that groups affiliated to the Hunting Association of Ireland, HAI, should be seen in that context and not be defined in the Bill as subject to the same definitions and regulatory regimes as puppy farms...the Labour Party seeks to avoid a regulatory regime that could be exploited by opponents of legitimate dog hunting clubs...I am not a coursing person, but Deputy Sherlock has informed me that the hare has been truly and surely "turned" on this matter and that there has been a climbdown on the issue." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage, 2nd July 2010.
Micheal Martin, TD (Fianna Fail, Cork South Central):
Speaking on RTE's Questions and Answers on 20th September 2004, Micheal Martin, TD stated that he does not think foxhunting should be banned in Ireland. Responding to a question from presenter, John Bowman, Deputy Martin said: "Foxhunting has been a part of Irish rural life for quite a long time, since well before the foundation of the state. I'm not sure banning a sport like that is the way to deal with issues like this." His comments came just five days after members of Parliament in the UK voted overwhelmingly to make foxhunting illegal there.
* CORK SOUTH WEST
Michael McCarthy, TD (Labour, Cork South West):
"To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a decision will issue on a deer hunting licence application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Dail Question, 6th October 2011.
* DONEGAL NORTH EAST
Padraig MacLochlainn, TD (Sinn Fein, Donegal North East):
"Councillor Padraig MacLochlainn said dog owners 'have a responsibility' to ensure their dog is kept under control. He said: 'It gets a laugh when it is raised but its very, very serious matter. There are children playing around that Green and there's a real risk of toxoplasmosis, which leads to the loss of sight - it's a serious health risk...Dog owners have a responsibility, nobody is allowed to have a dog out without a leash, it is a very, very serious matter.'" Dogs fall foul of local councillors, The Inish Times, 2007
"Colr MacLochlainn added: 'The law states clearly that dogs should be tied up and locked up, not roaming the streets. I am a dog lover myself, but it is the responsibility of the dog owners to look after their dogs - and make sure this does not happen again. They have a responsibilty to young children.'" Calling time on stray dogs, Derry Journal, 31 August 2007
Joe McHugh TD (Fine Gael, Donegal North East):
"I was recently approached by a Border town game hunting club in my own constituency. The Department of Justice will not grant it a licence because it has members from both sides of the Border. Artificial barriers imposed by the current Government undermine everyday cross-border cooperation at community level. These are the challenges that must be addressed." Speech by Joe McHugh TD to Fine Gael National Conference, March, 2010
* DONEGAL SOUTH WEST
Pearse Doherty, TD (Sinn Fein, Donegal South West):
"This government is allocating 76 euro million to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund while giving less than that, 64 million euro, to the Drugs Initiatives and Young People's Facilities Fund. This is unacceptable. If the government were to re-allocate tax payers money out of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund then resources for the Drugs Initiatives and Young People's Facilities Fund under Budget 2008 could be more than doubled." (Donegal Sinn Fein Senator Pearse Doherty in a Donegal News report highlighting how the county's drugs squad has been left with just one part-time officer - February 1st, 2008)
Thomas Pringle, TD (Independent, Donegal South West):
"I think it is clear that I am not supporting these [anti-hunting and anti-coursing] amendments and it is only because of the situation in the Dail that the amendments have to be submitted in my name as the only independent on the select committee that will consider the legislation. I have no problem with field sports provided there is no unnecessary cruelty to animals during the sports and I know that most people involved are trying to preserve a rural way of life."
Thomas Pringle, 14th November, 2012. http://www.thomaspringle.ie/?p=1596
Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan: First, I acknowledge the work of Deputy Thomas Pringle in allowing the amendments to be tabled because he had difficulties with some of them. I am conscious that the amendments tabled by Deputy Clare Daly and I presented difficulties for him. Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage, 22 November 2012
* DUBLIN CENTRAL
Joe Costello, TD (Labour, Dublin Central):
"I am opposed to all blood sports."
In January 2012, Joe Costello (Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) attended a protest against hare coursing outside the Department of Agriculture. Minister Costello stood alongside a banner calling for TDs to "Support the Bill to End Hare Coursing". Read More
"The legislation is silent on blood sports. While it refers to hunting, this concerns licences for hunting and ensuring there is not indiscriminate killing of wildlife. The two are different. One is the shooting or culling of wildlife whereas bloodsports concern a person chasing wildlife for pleasure and enjoyment. We must address the bloodsports issue in Ireland. We have touched on it from time to time but we have never dealt with it seriously, either in terms of coursing, fox hunting, stag hunting or badger baiting or hunting, nor have we addressed the considerable cruelty attached to the manner in which it is done and the way the animal is treated both in the hunt and in the killing. We hear horrific stories every season. We must recognise that the animals involved are all wild animals, foxes, stags and badgers, and are hunted, not for human food but for human pleasure. That is what we must examine...Hunting for pleasure is unacceptable and the line must be drawn that, while there is commercial hunting, fishing and culling of wildlife, there should not be commercial or other forms of bloodsports where human beings not only chase animals but kill them, which is the normal outcome of the chase. It involves a considerable amount of cruelty, does not benefit anyone and does not redound to the well-being of or a sense of respect for animals which we should have. I urge the Minister to examine this issue seriously to see whether some movement can be made." (Speaking as a Senator in 16th November 2000).
Paschal Donohoe, TD (Fine Gael, Dublin Central):
In the party's 2011 election manifesto, it is stated that "Fine Gael will reverse the ban on stag hunting." Read More
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD (Independent, Dublin Central):
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is honoured to have Maureen O'Sullivan as our President. Maureen is an invaluable ally to ICABS in Dail Eireann, tabling Dail questions and making representations on an ongoing basis.
"Nobody will tell me that coursing is the sort of activity where there is no cruelty... I do not think it is doing our international reputation any good to be one of three countries that continue with live coursing...This was a golden opportunity to get rid of hare coursing which I think is very obvious the majority of people in this country totally oppose." Animal Health and Welfare Bill debate in Dail Eireann, March 27th, 2013. Watch on Youtube
"Let me refer to coursing. I could read out a catalogue of instances of coursing cruelty but I will refer to just a few pertaining to various coursing meetings. Over two days of coursing at one event, 16 hares were hit by dogs. Nine were pinned and seven died of their injuries. At another meeting, six hares were hit by muzzled dogs, six were injured and two were killed. Over another two days, ten hares were hit, two were killed, two were injured and two died overnight. At another meeting, 12 hares were hit by muzzled dogs, one was killed, four were injured and one was put down because of injuries...We know what occurs before coursing meetings. The club members go out collecting hares. Sometimes they do so outside the bounds of their licence. Netting involves supporters yelling and shouting to herd hares into a net and then into an enclosure. This, again, is cruel to hares because they are solitary creatures. The wild hare is released into the field where we know what happens. Blooding with hares, rabbits and kittens is practised by people who own greyhounds. While debating legislation before the recess, I discovered that hares can also be shot. I do not know what the poor hare ever did to Irish society to be subjected to such cruel treatment...Let me refer to fur farming. I have seen evidence of the manner in which animals are kept, breaching all animal welfare laws, even those we had before now. The practice is similar to the medieval torture chamber represented by the badger traps. A review group submitted a report some months ago but this is not being addressed in the Bill. I hope separate legislation is being planned as a consequence...
"I accept that we are not fully free of bovine TB and that control measures are necessary but such measures could be carried out in a humane way, not through the most barbaric, gruesome and inhumane practice of catching badgers in a snare. I have seen the snares; they belong to a medieval torture chamber and are not part of a modern, civilised society. The trapping is cruel and when the badger is caught, it is a sitting target for the hunter to shoot it. A consequence is that the young badgers are left to starve. There are no badgers in the Isle of Man, yet there is bovine TB there. Farmers who are against badger snaring say other measures could be used to combat TB, including strict movement controls, thorough cleansing of livestock buildings, good ventilation and double fencing on all boundaries. There were some measures of note taken in England. Movement controls, improved cattle testing and biosecurity saw a 15% reduction in bovine TB. There are similar improvements in other countries where there is no badger killing...If one culls intensively for four years, there is a net TB reduction of 12% to 16%. Therefore, 85% of the problem remains. I hope that the legislation could lead to a vaccination strategy instead of using the very cruel and barbaric practice of badger snaring. The Irish Wildlife Trust stated in a letter to The Irish Times this week that since culling began in Ireland many years ago, 90,000 badgers have been killed. However, 80,000 of the badgers were healthy. In Northern Ireland, badgers are tested in the field so that only those infected with TB are killed..." from Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed), Dail Eireann, 20 September 2012. Watch on Youtube
"I do not know what the hare has ever done to Irish society to justify the treatment meted out to it, first, as a result of many years of coursing and now by virtue of the fact that people will be able to shoot it. The Minister referred to open season which, for hares, will be five months long. However, open season for hares lasts all 12 months of the year...Let us consider what the supposedly humane practice of muzzling has done for the hare. About one month before each meeting club members go out into the countryside to collect hares in a process known as "netting". This involves a gang of supporters shouting and yelling to herd hares into nets which have been strategically placed. The hares are then put into boxes for transport to the coursing venue. These are another two instances of cruelty, but the Bill does not go into much detail on this aspect...During the training weeks hares are kept herded together in a enclosure. This adds considerably to the stress suffered by the hares which are solitary creatures and keep to themselves in the wild. They do not live together in groups. In captivity, therefore, they are very prone to disease which can spread more easily when they are kept together in an enclosure." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
"I wish to focus on the hunt aspect and the proposal to prohibit stag hunting with hounds in Ireland, which will apply to the Ward Union Hunt. I believe this is a humane and an enlightened initiative that is long overdue.
Do we have some romantic view of the hunt in terms of the red jackets, the men and women on horseback and, I understand these days, on quads and jeeps, with the horns blowing, the dogs baying and the so-called thrill of the chase? The words I use are animal cruelty. There are incidents of deer becoming entangled in barbed wire, drowned and chocked to death. Do we really want to see images of hunted deer covered in blood, wounded, bitten and bruised, with steaming tongues hanging out as they drop to the ground exhausted? The hunt is causing unnecessary suffering to these animals. It is a gruelling experience that can last up to and even longer than three hours.
I cite, as the late Deputy Tony Gregory did in the Dail debate of October 2007, the veterinary documents which show the injuries and fatalities. They include fractured ribs, ruptured aortic aneurysms, a deer collapsing and dying after desperately trying to escape over an 8 ft high wall. There is considerable photographic and video evidence of the cruelty, and reports in newspapers of numerous incidents of cruelty. Is it sport to terrify an animal so unnecessarily and for what?
The Ward Union Hunt states that it has implemented a wide range of health and safety measures in recent years. That is equivalent to telling a prisoner that after being tortured a doctor will be on hand to bandage the wounds. What health and safety measures can be brought in that will alleviate deliberate suffering and torture of an animal? That is a total contradiction." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 24 June 2010. Deputy O'Sullivan voted in favour of the bill.
"Maureen O'Sullivan, TD said one of the major regrets of the late Tony Gregory was that more hadn't been done for animal rights in his lifetime. She had always shared his views on animal rights, she said, and hoped to continue his work against coursing. 'It is absolutely vicious, I couldn't look at the video footage of coursing, how people call that a sport, I do not know,' Ms O'Sullivan said." (From a report in the Irish Times, August 14, 2009)
"Finian McGrath and Maureen O'Sullivan have told the Herald that they are determined to see stag hunting ended. Both say that blood sports are entirely wrong and should be stamped out as soon as possible..."To me it's animal cruelty. To see deer caught in barbed wire, bruised, bleeding, hurt," she told the Herald. "I don't consider it sport to terrify animals, the hounds baying. In some cases they are going after domesticated deer. They are often killed through exhaustion. It's ludicrous." Evening Herald, June 29 2010.
On 27th March 2013, Maureen O'Sullivan presented/supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
"This was a golden opportunity to get rid of hare coursing. It is very obvious that the majority of people in this country totally oppose it. I know that Deputies are annoyed by the volume of emails they receive on this matter, but this shows the extent of the support for putting a ban on coursing...Damage is being done to greyhounds, who are gentle animals. They are being deliberately blooded and trained to do something that is against their nature. We know also of the damage to hares in the way they are netted, housed and used. There is also an increasing use of rabbits [for blooding greyhounds]." Animal Health and Welfare Bill debate in Dail Eireann, March 27th, 2013. Watch on Youtube
* DUBLIN MID WEST
Robert Dowds, TD (Labour Party, Dublin Mid West):
As a councillor in 2006/2007, Robert Dowds joined ICABS in appealing for the installation of surveillance cameras at a Dublin park where greyhounds were blooded in broad daylight. Cllr Dowds was told by the Senior Parks Superintendent that: "We will examine the possible use of CCTV in the search for a means of trying to resolve the issue."
Joanna Tuffy, TD (Labour Party, Dublin Mid West):
"Studies carried out on the Ward Union Hunt found evidence of physiological recovery within three or four days and full recovery within ten days, and two months post hunt the hunted deer were found to be in good health." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.475.0 In response, Minister Gormley stated: "I do not know what sort of information the Deputy has but one does not need to be a vet or any specialist to see that the animal in question is under severe stress. It is a domesticated animal. The vets to whom I have spoken have clearly stated that the animal is under severe stress." Deputy Tuffy voted against the ban on staghunting.
"The Labour Party opposes this legislation [ban on Ward Union deerhunt] because it is the wrong approach to maximising the protection of wildlife. It does nothing to protect wildlife but has a much more cynical motivation. It is an all-out unilateral ban on the Ward Union Hunt...People in rural communities feel under threat from this legislation and are concerned it is the thin end of the wedge."
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20100624.xml&Ex=All&Page=9
Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 24 June 2010
Joanna Tuffy voted against the staghunt ban.
* DUBLIN NORTH
Clare Daly, TD (Socialist Party, Dublin North):
"That the practice of hare coursing is being excluded from the protections of this Bill is such an absolute gaping anomaly. It's a contradiction. In essence, what we're doing is recognising that the practice itself is inherently cruel but then we are allowing it to continue. It is something that I, and a majority of Irish citizens, consistently in opinion polls believe is an outdated practice which has no part in modern Ireland...Information circulated to all Deputies which shows that a very successful drag coursing event took place negates the traditional argument that people who love greyhounds will not have a chance to exercise their dogs and allow them to compete. That argument is an absolute nonsense. We do not need hare coursing to continue for dogs to be exercised or compete in this manner. Successful drag coursing events held in Ireland prove this and negate that argument. The Minister must take this on board. Not allowing this barbarity to continue and replacing it with drag coursing would do far better for our tourism industry...We've heard an awful lot over the years to justify hare coursing - ridiculous arguments in my mind, all of which can be defeated. Nonsense like 'the hares are being looked after and they're being protected'. Let's be clear here: these animals are picked up, snatched from their environment, kept to be chased by dogs and sustain massive injuries..." Animal Health and Welfare Bill, 27 March 2013. Watch on Youtube
"The Bill acknowledges that these practices [coursing and foxhunting] are cruel and inflict pain and unnecessary suffering, yet it exempts them from the protection it rightly provides in other circumstances. This is not adequate in a civilised society and is not good enough in a Bill on animal welfare. It is certainly not good enough for hares and foxes." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch on Youtube
"My Technical Group colleague, Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, has asked me to apologise on her behalf as she is unfortunately unable to contribute to the debate. Like me, she welcomes all initiatives that promote animal welfare and looks forward to the day when coursing, fur farming, fox hunting and all such activities are banned. All these so-called sports have, at their core, deliberate and wilful cruelty to animals, including death." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Second Stage, 30 June 2011.
"The Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 talks about the prohibition of terrifying or baiting an animal. It goes on to exempt hare coursing. One Bill acknowledges that hare coursing is cruel by putting in an exemption for hares. Hares are exempt from protection in one Bill and are included in this Bill to allow them to be shot, presumably over the course of the next few months, in case some of them got away or something like that...It is appropriate to say that this barbarity must stop. What did the hare ever do? We are talking about making provision for licences to allow people to shoot this unique animal - an endemic sub-species that is not found anywhere else in the world - in the open season. I am suggesting that other forms of treatment of this species, such as hare coursing activity, are relevant in this context. We have allowed this activity to continue for more than 100 years while other jurisdictions have been criminalising it...It is scandalous that this activity continues...The Irish Coursing Club has said that hares come to no harm in coursing because they are protected by the existing rules governing the sport, as the club calls it. That is completely and utterly false. It does not stand up to any scrutiny of the evidence...The Irish Wildlife Trust has suggested in one of its reports that the unsustainable taking of hares for sporting purposes could be one of the reasons the species is threatened and in decline. It is obvious that this extension of hunting licences, to allow some more hares to be shot, will pose a further threat to the species as a whole." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
"We in the Socialist Party oppose stag hunting and the inherent cruelty of hunting animals purely for human enjoyment. We will oppose any attempt to overturn the ban from within the Dail. We also support the banning of hare coursing and we would be in favour of legislation which aimed to do so." March 22nd, 2011.
In 2007, Councillor Clare Daly proposed a successful motion to ban the Use of Wild Animals in Circuses on land Owned by Fingal County Council. The final wording of the agreed motion was: "That Fingal County Council support the introduction of by-laws or other measures which would ensure that circuses which use wild animals are prohibited from performing in any part of the local authority area, in light of the well-documented evidence of suffering endured by the animals involved and the serious animal welfare issues raised."
On 27th March 2013, Clare Daly presented/supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Dr James Reilly, TD (Fine Gael, Dublin North):
"Figures obtained by the Irish Independent show researchers in Trinity College spent more than 368,000 Euro on live animals in only 12 months to use in tests aimed at treating disease in humans. The figure is more than double what was spent the previous year. Dogs, pigs, rabbits, mice and rats have been used in the university's medical experiments, but there is pressure from the EU to find other ways of conducting tests. The Trinity figures show the huge cost of "maintenance and welfare" during the same period, bringing the bill to 665,102 Euro. Between October 2011 and last September the university bought 15 pigs, 20,094 mice and 6,579 rats for use in its labs. The animals are tested as part of the exploration of treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and genetic disorders. The university said any research carried out on animals requires the prior licensing of the person and the project by the Minister for Health Dr James Reilly...the Irish Anti-Vivisection Society, which is campaigning for an end to the use of live animals, argues that animal experimentation 'allows the infliction of pain and suffering'."
James Reilly TD voted against the staghunt ban.
* DUBLIN NORTH CENTRAL
Finian McGrath, TD (Independent, Dublin North Central):
"Finian McGrath saved the day for the stags of north Dublin and Meath this week by voting with the Government on the hunting ban." Irish Independent, July 3rd 2010.
"Finian McGrath and Maureen O'Sullivan have told the Herald that they are determined to see stag hunting ended. Both say that blood sports are entirely wrong and should be stamped out as soon as possible..."I would be totally against blood sports," [Finian] said. "I have major concern around the chasing of stags. There have been a couple of serious incidents. In one incident a stag was chased into a schoolyard. It was appalling, disgraceful." Evening Herald, June 29 2010.
"I support the plan to end doping and rigging of greyhound races. I demand standards in the industry to root out doping and sleaze. Although it is an important social and family event, the downside of it is coursing, on which we need a debate." During a Dail debate on the Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006, 8th June 2006.
"You have my total support in relation to blood sports. I am definitely opposed to them". November, 2003
On 27th March 2013, Finian McGrath supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
* DUBLIN NORTH EAST
Tommy Broughan, TD (Labour Party, Dublin North East):
ICABS has sent a message of thanks to Dublin North East TD, Tommy Broughan, after he abstained from voting in the Wildlife Amendment Bill vote in 2010. "We wish to thank you very much for remaining true to your principles and refusing to vote against the Wildlife Amendment Bill on Tuesday. Your action helped achieve success for this historic bill and bring the cruel ward union hunt to an end. You have our greatest respect and admiration," we stated. Read More
"I remain opposed to all so called blood 'sports'." (February 2010)
"[I] support your call to introduce drag coursing in place of coursing of hares." (September 2003)
On 27th March 2013, Tommy Broughan supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Terence Flanagan, TD (Fine Gael, Dublin North East):
"I support the Irish Council Against Blood Sports' call for the Ward Union hunt to be refused a licence," Deputy Flanagan stated in a letter to Minister John Gormley, October 2007. For more, see Terence Flanagan, TD joins calls for end to deer hunt
In October 2012, Terence Flanagan asked Minister Simon Coveney "if he will respond to the following query regarding the Animal Welfare Bill (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Read the reply
Roisin Shortall, TD (Labour Party, Dublin North West):
"To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the large scale destruction of farm and other property, often running to thousands of euro, by the unauthorised use of such lands for the purposes of live hunting." (From a Dail Question tabled in 2004)
On 27th March 2013, Roisin Shortall supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
* DUBLIN SOUTH
Olivia Mitchell TD (Fine Gael, Dublin South):
"Many thanks for your email in relation to Irish field sports and hunting. Please find below a statement from Fine Gael's spokesperson on Agriculture, Michael Creed TD, which reflects my own views on the matter." from an email to an ICABS supporter, October 16, 2009. The statement Deputy Mitchell referred to outlined that "Fine Gael supports country sports which are carried out humanely", "Fine Gael will oppose any move by Government to deny groups who have conducted their activities as per their licences, the right to continue to pursue these activities in the future" and "Fine Gael acknowledge the contribution hunting and other rural pursuits make to the rural economy."
Alan Shatter, TD (Fine Gael, Dublin South):
"I am totally opposed to hunting wild animals with dogs." Deputy Shatter voted AGAINST the Wildlife Amendment Bill 2010 which banned staghunting.
Alan Shatter is a former President of the Irish Council against Blood Sports. See www.alanshatter.ie
In 2010, on RTE's 'The Week in Politics', Alan Shatter criticised the Green Party for bringing forward legislation to ban staghunting, stating that there are more important priorities.
"Would the Minister agree that many people regard hare coursing as an offensive, obscene and particularly primitive sporting activity? ... Could I urge him to consider introducing legislation to ban live hare coursing? I suggest that the Minister would agree that hare coursing is as primitive a sport as bull-fighting and cock-fighting, both of which are prohibited under our legislation." Dail Questions and Answers (Hare Coursing) - 8 June 1983.
* DUBLIN SOUTH CENTRAL
Eric Byrne, TD (Labour Party, Dublin South Central):
"I am sure that nobody likes to see or indeed put animals to death. I am a hillwalker and I hate to see those guys with their guns all dressed up like Army Rangers waiting to kill the deer." From an email to ICABS, December 2010.
Joan Collins, TD (People Before Profit, Dublin South Central):
"I will be supporting the [anti-coursing] bill that my United Left Alliance colleague, Clare Daly TD is working on." 7 February, 2012
The office of Joan Collins TD has confirmed that the Dublin South-Central Deputy "is in support of a ban on live hare coursing".
On 14 September 2011, Deputy Collins asked Minister Simon Coveney "his policy on hare coursing" and "his plans to ban this practice".
On 27th March 2013, Joan Collins supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Aengus O Snodaigh, TD (Sinn Fein, Dublin South Central):
On 24th March 2009, Aengus O Snodaigh, TD asked the Minister for Agriculture "if in the context of his responsibility for animal welfare and the legal protection of animals from cruelty, he will introduce legislation banning all blood sports including hare coursing and fox hunting". On 10th March, 2009, he asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government "if he will introduce legislation banning all blood sports including hare coursing and fox hunting".
* DUBLIN SOUTH EAST
Ruairí Quinn, TD (Labour, Dublin South East):
"I used to be a member of the Irish Council Against Blood Sports. Personally, I am against the hunting of live animals with dogs, i.e. fox hunting, live hare coursing and carted deer hunting."
* DUBLIN SOUTH WEST
Sean Crowe, TD (Sinn Fein, Dublin South West):
"Sinn Féin as a party is absolutely opposed to blood 'sports' and motions to this effect have been passed at the last two Ard Fheiseanna with overwhelming support. On my own part, I find these activities to be a loathsome practice and the argument that they are in some manner a necessary part of traditional, rural life insulting to the intelligence. I would be delighted to support any and all legislation, which restricts, or bans these 'sports'."
Brian Hayes, TD (Fine Gael, Dublin South West):
"Fine Gael has committed to reversing the ban on stag hunting. As a Party, we are not opposed to countryside sports..." (From an email to an ICABS supporter, February 2011)
Eamonn Maloney, TD (Labour Party, Dublin South West):
Cllr Eamonn Maloney said: "The relevant minister should have no difficulty in banning activity such as circuses with wild animals." from Cruel circuses that use wild animals are banned, Evening Herald, 14th January 2009.
Pat Rabbitte, TD (Labour, Dublin South West):
"I do not support bloodsports or hare coursing but I have no difficulty with age-old rural sports like fishing, shooting, etc within the terms prescribed by law."
Labour Party leader, Pat Rabbitte, has “sponsored” an “agreement” between two hunting organisations - the National Association of Regional Game Councils (gun clubs) and the Countryside Alliance (a UK-based hunting defence group, previously known as the British Fieldsports Society). The signing of this agreement took place in Leinster House and afterwards Mr. Rabbitte posed for photographs next to the hunting representatives. Mr. Rabbitte was quoted as stating that “it is inspiring that these two organisations are articulating a proactive vision for the future of Irish country life.” from Labour leader, Pat Rabbitte, backs hunting groups, ICABS Newsletter, June 2003
Pat Rabbitte sought licences for cruel glue traps: It has been brought to our attention that in March 2009, Labour Party TD, Pat Rabbitte, asked the Minster for the Environment if he would grant a licence to permit the use of glue traps. ICABS has expressed disappointment to Deputy Rabbitte, currently Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources. We told him that glue traps are considered one of the most cruel and inhumane traps and that they are illegal in Ireland. "Animals caught in glue traps have been known to bite off their own limbs in a bid to escape," we stated. "When their faces get stuck in the glue, they suffocate. Animals also die of starvation in these traps. Victims not only include rodents but also birds, frogs, squirrels and other small mammals." Animal Voice, August 2011
* DUBLIN WEST
Joe Higgins, TD (Socialist Party, Dublin West):
"I am opposed to the hunting of foxes by hounds as indeed I am opposed to live hare coursing."
"To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will refuse further licences for hare coursing in line with the precautionary principle advocated in the recent report from the Irish hare initiative." Dail Question, 24 May 2005.
"The idea that taking a domesticated animal from its enclosure, turning it loose in unfamiliar countryside and then subjecting it to the terrifying ordeal of being chased by dozens of baying hounds represents "rural life" is totally false. Equally so to argue that there is something noble or natural here, resonating from more primeval times when our ancestors wrestled with nature for survival. In fact, the contrived struggle here is most unnatural. The stag's antlers are sawn off, thus depriving it of its main mechanism of defence against attack. This is to tilt the contest in favour of the chasing hounds and the human handlers who otherwise might be hurt as the animal naturally resists being bitten and resists the attempts of its tormentors to capture it for another outing in the future...Any society which claims to have some compassion will not tolerate unnecessary cruelty to animals and such an approach is not negated by the fact that we are largely a meat eating population. I believe most people will welcome the end of carted stag hunting." July 15th, 2010 - Joe Higgins' website
"I agree also with the Irish Council Against Bloodsports that the otter hunting ban must be further copperfastened by an extension of the legislation and of protection. They have pointed out how mink hunting can be used as a cover for otter hunting and even if it were not, that it can significantly disturb the habitat of the otter. This is a very strong case for further measures to be taken by the Minister in this regard; the same could apply to hare coursing. I remember as a child the awful spectacle of live hare coursing, the trauma and suffering of these creatures as they were torn asunder literally and I can still hear those awful squeals. That the dogs are now muzzled is only a slight amelioration of the terror imposed on these wild creatures. I do not see why it should be maintained." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, 1999: Second Stage, 25 May 2000.
On 27th March 2013, Joe Higgins supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Patrick Nulty, TD (Labour Party, Dublin West):
"I agree with the ban [on hare coursing] proposed." January 18, 2012 Read More
On October 18th 2012, Deputy Nulty joined protesters at an anti-bloodsports demonstration outside Dail Eireann - See Photo.
"Hare coursing is deliberately cruel and unnecessary. As Deputy O'Sullivan has outlined, issues of employment can be addressed in other ways through drag coursing. It sticks out like a sore thumb in this Bill that the opportunity to ban coursing is not being seized. I wonder why it is not being seized. I find it very ironic that in our vote on the previous amendment, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin all stood shoulder to shoulder. Not since before 1918 have the nationalist parties stood together so much to oppose progressive measures towards achieving animal rights. This is an opportunity for the Minister to redeem himself. I acknowledge the positive elements of this Bill but this is a huge anomaly and a huge failure of us seizing political responsibility for the environment in which we all live on this island and to ban hare coursing. It is a totally barbaric and unacceptable practice. It is totally unnecessary and it certainly does not represent the future of Irish economic and rural development. I think we should ban it outright today." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage, 27 March 2013. Watch on Youtube
"Fur farming is on the decline, is unnecessary, deliberately cruel, wrong and profoundly unnecessary. There is no need or justification for it." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage, 27 March 2013. Watch on Youtube
On 27th March 2013, Patrick Nulty supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
* DUN LAOGHAIRE
Richard Boyd Barrett, TD (People Before Profit Alliance, Dun Laoghaire):
"The gaping omission in this Bill is that although animal cruelty is well defined, along with the need to make it illegal to engage in cruelty against animals, there are two specific opt-outs in the areas of hare coursing and fox hunting. That is unacceptable and difficult to understand. What possible justification is there for this when cruelty is so well defined as causing unnecessary suffering to animals? How can the Minister indicate that cruelty in some circumstances can be allowed, justified or excluded from the provisions of the Bill that try to establish a humane regime for the treatment of animals? The Minister simply cannot justify this exclusion and he should not do so.
"The Bill needs to be amended in this regard because hare coursing involves cruelty to animals in all the ways described by Deputy Daly and fox hunting also involves cruelty and suffering for animals. It is not something the vast majority of people in the country want or support. Outlawing this form of cruelty does not endanger traditional pursuits because, as has been well debated and discussed and I do not need to inform the Minister of it, there are humane alternatives whereby such activities can be carried on in other ways such as through drag coursing which do not require the suffering of animals. The Minister should take his lead from Northern Ireland where hare coursing has been banned and we should do the same. There should be no exemptions. Cruelty to animals is cruelty to animals and it should not be allowed. I welcome the Bill but it is important that the Government makes these amendments and removes the exclusions on hare coursing and fox hunting." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch on Youtube
On 27th March 2013, Richard Boyd Barrett supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Eamon Gilmore, TD (Labour, Dun Laoghaire):
"I am opposed to the blood sports of badger baiting, cock fighting, dog fighting, hare coursing and stag hunting. Democratic Left strongly believes in protecting our wildlife and we are very concerned about the cruelty and impact on the various species of so-called blood sports."
Eamon Gilmore voted against the ban on staghunting. However, speaking on the Marian Finucane radio show on October 2nd 2010, Mr Gilmore stated that the party "won't reverse the decision" and that they "will stick with the ban on staghunting", if his party gets into government after the election.
In September 2007, Eamon Gilmore called for a "suspension on coursing activities in the event that the hare survey indicates either a significant national decline in hare numbers or widespread localised disappearance of the species" (See Dail Question) and also urged the then Environment Minister to "withhold the issuing of a licence in 2007 under the Wildlife Act 1976 permitting stag hunting" (See Dail Question)
* GALWAY EAST
Michael P. Kitt, TD (Fianna Fail, Galway East):
"Fishing and hunting is an important industry in the autumn which is often a quiet season in many towns and villages in rural Ireland. Nonetheless, there must be greater control on commercial shoot operators. Every year we hear of people who come into the country and shoot anything that flies. Songbirds can be game as far as they are concerned. People with camper vans come into the country, shoot willy nilly and bring quantities of fish stored in freezers back to the countries from which they came. Obviously they are not doing that without assistance from agents and middlemen. The Minister referred to this important issue. There should be regulations to control these operators, be they involved in shooting or fishing." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, 1999: Second Stage (Resumed), 25 May 2000.
* GALWAY WEST
Noel Grealish, TD (Independent, Galway West):
"I fully support your quest to ban live hare coursing." (September 2003)
"I will support your campaign [against terrier-work and digging out] and I will certainly write to Minister Brendan Smith." From a letter to ICABS, 18th May 2009.
Independent TD, Noel Grealish, voted in favour of the ban on stag hunting, June 2010.
On 27th March 2013, Noel Grealish supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Sean Kyne, TD (Fine Gael, Galway West):
In March 2012, Deputy Kyne asked the Agriculture Minister "if the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill will contain a provision to abolish live hare coursing in view of the demonstrable evidence of the harm, injury and distress that such a sport causes to the wildlife concerned and also in recognition that such a measure would bring Ireland into line with other developed nations including the UK, several other European nations and Australia."
"To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the bounty scheme for mink is in operation or if the details are yet to be finalised as we approach the critical Spring period for wildlife and the lambing season which are affected by mink." Dail question, 14 February 2012.
Derek Nolan, TD (Labour Party, Galway West):
In June 2012, Derek Nolan TD asked the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, "if the exemptions on fishing, hunting and hare coursing underlined in section 12(12) of the Animal Welfare Bill will be retained".
Eamon O Cuiv, TD (Fianna Fail, Galway West):
"The Minister is right not to introduce a ban on hunting, fishing or coursing in the Bill. There are parts of the country where they form part of way of life and as long as it does not involve excessive cruelty, the Minister's approach in this regard is correct. I do not agree with anti-hunting lobby." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch on Youtube
In November 2012, ICABS welcomed a statement from Eamon O Cuiv TD that he does not agree with the digging out of animals or the use of terriers to attack animals that have gone to ground. The Galway West TD expressed his opposition to these cruel activities during the Committee Stage of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill on 8th November. Addressing Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, Deputy O Cuiv stated: "Will [the Minister] explain whether the use of canines for the hunting of any animal, digging out of any wild mammal gone to ground and the use of terriers to attack and extract the wild mammal above or below ground, is legally permissible? The Bill provides that unnecessary cruelty is not permitted. Is that issue covered in the Bill? I do not agree with that particular procedure but I do not have a problem with normal hunting. Nature can be quite cruel but that appears to be going too far. If the Bill is passed, will the digging out of foxes be legally permissible, given the other terms about cruelty to animals?"
"I will be outlining my views on this issue at the Committee as the debate proceeds but agree with the Minister that there should be no outright ban on hunting and coursing." from an email from Eamon O Cuiv to ICABS, 8th Novemeber 2012.
"I will certainly support the abolition of hare coursing...I do not favour hare coursing at all as I feel it is a cruel sport. You can rest assured of my stand on this matter." from a December 1992 letter to anti-coursing campaigner John Fitzgerald.
Why the change between 1992 and 2012? "Explanation is quite simple and that is that the lobby against hare coursing will not give up until they make us all into vegetarians." (from an email from Eamon O Cuiv to an ICABS supporter, September 2012)
* KERRY NORTH LIMERICK WEST
Jimmy Deenihan, TD (Fine Gael, Kerry North Limerick West):
"I go to the occasional coursing meeting...I totally agree with Deputy [Mattie] McGrath that local gun and coursing clubs are really very important for the preservation of wildlife in this country." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
"Whatever I can do for coursing while I am in this job, I will certainly do it." Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht at the 2012 annual hare coursing awards. Sporting Press website, 30 March 2012
"It was I who proposed muzzling greyhounds for coursing and it is working very well." (Note: muzzling is actually not "working well"; hares continue to suffer and die during coursing meetings as muzzled dogs hit the creatures and maul them into the ground)
According to a report in Kerry's Eye, Jimmy Deehinhan was present at an Abbeydorney Hunt on January 27 1997
"On a personal basis, I have very little interest in coursing. On a personal basis, it would not bother me whether coursing was banned or not...the coursing fraternity in this country are very concerned about the future of the sport...many Catholic clergy are involved in hare coursing." from a letter written by Jimmy Deenihan to an animal welfare group in Hawaii in the early 1990s.
Martin Ferris, TD (SF, Kerry North Limerick West):
"Some people are straightforwardly opposed to racing and coursing of greyhounds. It is not a position I or my party share..." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch on Youtube
"There is the legitimate argument that the State, the State acting on behalf of a section of the electorate or, in this case, one political party, ought not to have the right to ban activities just because someone else does not like them. There are many people who do not like this form of hunting, and they are entitled to their beliefs. However, they are not entitled to have it banned simply on that basis.
The only basis on which they would be entitled would be if it could be proved that the practise in question was either cruel, deliberately designed to kill the animal being pursued or that the animal in question was an endangered species. None of that applies as far as I can see in this instance.
There is also the argument, including on behalf of people who have no particular interest in or affection for stag hunting, that if this activity is banned the way will be open to ban other sports involving animals. That could include hare coursing, for example, and I have little doubt that if this Bill is successful that will be the next target." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 24 June 2010. Deputy Ferris voted AGAINST the bill.
"Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris yesterday said he did not consider hare coursing a blood sport...Mr Ferris said he was stating his position on hare coursing because there was confusion surrounding the motion passed at the last party ardfheis calling for a ban on all blood sports. He said he was supportive of 'traditional rural' pursuits such as hare coursing, and he did not consider it a blood sport as greyhounds were now muzzled." Irish Times, September 8, 2009. Note: Deputy Ferris maintains this view despite evidence provided to him by ICABS which shows that coursing is a blood sport that continues to cause horrific injuries and deaths to hares.
"Hunting, coursing, fishing and shooting... are big part of rural Ireland and a big part of what we are. They are very beneficial to the economy of rural Ireland." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.475.0 Deputy Ferris voted against the ban on staghunting.
* KILDARE NORTH
Bernard Durkan, TD (Fine Gael, Kildare North):
"My views on live hare coursing are fairly well known. In fact, during debates on the subject in the late Eighties and early Nineties, I spoke publicly to
the effect that I was opposed to live hare coursing."
"What concerns me most about this Bill [Wildlife Amendment Bill 2010 which bans the Ward Union deerhunt] is the attack on rural life. In recent years we have seen the gradual erosion of the rights and entitlements of people living in rural areas...One cannot keep dogs. One cannot hunt... I do not hunt but there are many people who do." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.377.0 Deputy Durkan voted against the ban on staghunting
Anthony Lawlor, TD (Fine Gael, Kildare North):
"Horse meat is a valuable export, in particular to continental Europe. The French market for Irish slaughtered horses is considerable...The horses to which I refer are not bred for slaughter but for the racetrack. One should consider the statistics involved: of the 7,000 thoroughbred foals born this year, only seven will win a group 1 race. Only 3,500 will make it to a racetrack, which means 3,500 thoroughbred foals will end up being slaughtered before they reach their potential. The sad part for the sector is that breeders have potential to earn much more if the stamp “Not fit for human consumption” were to be removed from the passport. Horse meat could be a valuable export for this country...I would like to see an opportunity for us to export horsemeat for human consumption on the Continent." Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011, 29 September 2011.
Catherine Murphy, TD (Independent, Kildare North):
On 27th March 2013, Catherine Murphy supported an amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing.
Emmet Stagg, TD (Labour Party, Kildare North):
"Emmet Stagg has confirmed he is among a number of Labour TDs who do not support a ban on stag hunting...Mr Stagg, Labour whip and TD for Kildare North, said: 'I see nothing wrong with it [stag hunting] at all. I think it's well regulated. I'm a supporter of country sports in general,' he said." (Irish Times, April 29, 2010)
Emmet Stagg voted against the ban on staghunting.
* KILDARE SOUTH
Jack Wall, TD (Labour Party, Kildare South):
"Kildare South TD Jack Wall said he was not in favour of the bill [to ban the Ward Union] and stag hunting provided employment." (Irish Times, April 29, 2010). Jack Wall voted against the Bill which banned staghunting.
* LAOIGHIS OFFALY
Barry Cowen, TD (Fianna Fail, Laoighis Offaly):
"I will not be supporting any upcoming bill seeking to ban hare coursing." Barry Cowen in an email to ICABS, 1st February, 2012.
"An Taoiseach's brother Barry Cowen has been appointed to the vacant General Manager position at Mullingar Greyhound Track. Cowen takes over as Sales, Commercial and Operations Manager at Mullingar Track next Monday...Cowen is a well known and successful greyhound owner and has been involved in the ownership of many of the very speedy Gilbeyhall greyhounds." Irish Examiner Thursday, November 04, 2010.
Clara Councillor Barry Cowen has refuted claims that recently proposed bills have a 'hidden agenda' in relation to the hunting industry. Cllr Cowen has issued a statement clarifying aspects of the two recently proposed Bills, the Wildlife Amendment Bill 2010 and Dog Breeding Bill. "Having recently attended a public meeting organised by RISE, I feel it necessary to re-affirm the Bills' contents and refute the claims by RISE that there is some wider agenda," commented Cllr Cowen..."RISE are wrong to suggest there is some wider agenda. Minister Gormley recently confirmed the legislation will not have any implications for other country pursuits such as fox hunting, hare hunting, hare coursing or deer stalking. This bill only affects those involved in stag hunting, any suggestion otherwise by RISE is misleading and false," remarked Cllr Cowen. "This bill is about ensuring the highest standard possible for our animals. The proposed legislation will not have any implications for other country pursuits such as fox hunting, hare coursing, fishing, deer stalking. All allegations that this is a threat to these industries is false," concluded Cllr Cowen. Offaly Express, May 11, 2010
"I know the [greyhound] industry and grew up with it and realise its potential. I grew up realising its impact on rural communities and its great social benefit. It has the potential to be exported and nobody should stand in the way of the Department, the Irish Coursing Club and the Irish Greyhound Board in exploring this to the utmost." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2010, 30th June 2011.
Sean Fleming, TD (Fianna Fail, Laoighis Offaly):
"To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide the list of locations in respect ofthe number of licences he has issued under Section 42 of the Wildlife Act which provides for the shooting of wild deer outside the designated openseason and allows for night time shooting from the public road with the use of high powered lamps in view of the fact that the Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act 1851 prohibits discharge of a firearm from within 60 feet of a public road; if the shooting of wild deer in this situation is legal and even though it is highly dangerous to local communities it has the potential to promote the illegal taking of deer; the reason he continues to issue permits allowing for the culling of female deer while they still have dependant young, which results in the dependant calf/fawn suffering an horrendous death over a number of weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Dail question from Sean Fleming to Jimmy Deenihan, 26th October, 2011.
Brian Stanley, TD (Sinn Fein, Laoighis Offaly):
On 21 March 2012, Brian Stanley, TD aked the Minister for Agriculture "if minks, cats and racing horses will be included in the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Read the full Dail Question and Answer.
* LIMERICK
Niall Collins, TD (FF, Limerick):
"...the Minister travelled around the country scaring people in fishing clubs, coursing clubs, shooting clubs and anybody else to whom he could talk." Niall Collins during a debate on the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011, 25 January 2012.
In a February 2012 Dail Question, Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht "his policy on hare coursing" and "his policy on stag hunting".
In 2008, Deputy Niall Collins called on Environment Minister John Gormley to grant coursing licences as a matter of urgency. Quoted in the Irish Examiner of August 19, 2008, he said: "It stands to reason that once the licences have been granted the various coursing clubs and organisations can better plan when, where and how they will capture hares. This will help to ensure that the best possible care for the hares is provided and it will also give the various coursing clubs more certainty when it comes to planning their activities...I do not agree with the narrow view taken by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports on this issue, as they don't understand and value the traditional and cultural elements of this greyhound sector."
"In Opposition, the Taoiseach's party and the Labour Party opposed the ban on the Ward Union stag hunt. Will the Government be introducing legislation to reverse the ban? If so, when?" from a Dail debate, 8 November 2011
"Fianna Fail TD Niall Collins believed that RISE was not a mass movement of rural interests but a 'professional lobby group' led by influential people who were involved in politics or are politically engaged. 'RISE has succeeded in confusing the nation and causing upset and anxiety across all its rural pressure groups about the ban on stag hunting, even though it is clear from the Programme for Government that fox hunting, hare coursing, angling, shooting and all outdoor pursuits are all safe,' said Collins." Sunday Business Post, 4th July 2010
Dan Neville, TD (Fine Gael, Limerick):
"The Bill before the House goes far beyond the issue of puppy farms to impose additional costs and duplicate inspection structures on rural industries such as greyhound and hunting dog breeding. These are important activities in my constituency. Greyhound breeding has been popular in County Limerick for hundreds of years...Fox hunting is also popular in County Limerick. Several packs are based in the county, the most famous of which is the Black and Tans pack in Emly...The County Limerick Foxhounds pack is based two miles from where I live. As a child I was entertained when the horses and hounds walked up the road on which I grew up. We also helped to rear the pack's pups, which were farmed out to various families...We also have foxhunting, scarteens and many other packs. The Fine Gael Party proposed a number of amendments in the Seanad to exclude these vital industries and instead focus primarily on puppy farms." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, 2nd July 2010
In September 2009, Deputy Dan Neville "asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the points made by the campaign for the abolition of cruel sports with reference to an application by a club (details supplied) to his Department for a licence to net hares for another hare coursing season; his further views on whether the Irish hare is designated as an endangered species here; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Dail Eireann, Written Questions and Answers, 17th September 2009.
* LIMERICK CITY
Jan O'Sullivan, TD (Labour, Limerick City):
"I do not support blood sports."
Willie O'Dea, TD (FF, Limerick City):
In 2009, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports warmly welcomed a statement from the office of the then Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea, in which we were told that the Minister "fully supports" our campaign. (Defence Minister "fully supports" ICABS campaign)
* LONGFORD WESTMEATH
James Bannon, TD (Fine Gael, Longford Westmeath):
"The Fine Gael Party will strongly oppose any change to the existing licensing arrangements for stag and fox hunting. Any new regulations made by the Minister, or his Government, will be reversed." (Speaking during the Field Sport Regulation Adjournment Debate on 11 March 2010. To read the full text of the debate, Click Here).
"I emphasise that I am totally opposed to this legislation [to ban the Ward Union deerhunt], as a representative of Longford-Westmeath and as a countryman who supports the rural pursuits and unique heritage and tradition of field sports...hunting creates a sense of community in rural areas. My farm has facilitated hunting throughout my life and both my father and grandfather before him allowed the hunts to pass through our lands. I will continue to allow them do so. Hunting unites farmers and sports people for a common recreational purpose and tradition. I am deeply concerned at the appalling actions of the Minister and his wilting Green Party, which are aimed at destroying country wide field sports...I was shocked to see on the Minister's website the no-holes-barred assertion that the Green Party intended to attack coursing and fox hunting and secure a legislative ban on all blood sports...I cannot emphasise strongly enough the devastation to the sporting, economic, leisure and tourism activities of any ban on field sports, hare coursing or stag hunting. Any such move would be detrimental to the country as a whole and to the countryside in particular...Banning hunting, which is a strong tradition in rural Ireland going back centuries and over many generations, would be a threat to the rural way of life and would be strongly resisted by rural people and by people living in towns who participate in rural sports, many of whom I am delighted to welcome onto my farm every spring. " Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, Thursday, 24 June 2010
"I can assure the Minister of State that any attempt to ban hunting, which is a strong tradition in rural Ireland going back centuries and many generations, would be a threat to the rural way of life and would be strongly resisted by rural people...Deer and fox hunting have a long history in this country since the 19th century and earlier." Stated by James Bannon during Field Sport Regulation, Adjournment Debate, 11 March 2010.
Nicky McFadden, TD (Fine Gael, Longford Westmeath):
In February 2010, Cllr McFadden was criticised by ICABS for expressing support for foxhunters. During a Senate debate on proposed Puppy Farm legislation, she stated: "I am familiar with the South Westmeath hunt. There is no question but they are the kindest people to those dogs." Please read more at Westmeath Senators criticised for defending hunters and coursers
"My father used to race greyhounds and they were always retired to homes and they are the best pets...Any proposal involving Bord na gCon engaging with the greyhound industry in China would have to give due consideration to animal welfare matters. Ireland attaches a high priority to animal welfare and, alongside our EU partners, is working to promote better animal welfare internationally so I welcome the Minister of State’s introduction of this legislation." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30th June 2011.
Willie Penrose, TD (Labour, Longford Westmeath):
"Longford-Westmeath TD Willie Penrose also said he would not support a ban [on the Ward Union deerhunt]. 'I support rural Ireland. I don't support the Wildlife Bill. I certainly would not support the bill. I'm a rural person with rural views,' he said." (Irish Times, April 29, 2010)
"I speak as a Deputy who is deeply in touch with rural issues and a rural way of life and I strongly oppose the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010, as proposed by the Minister, Deputy Gormley...The Bill before the House is historic in at least one respect, in that, to the best of my knowledge, it is the first occasion since the foundation of the State that a Government has brought a specific Bill before this House to outlaw a country sport...As young people we hunted rabbits in order to secure food or sell it at two shillings unskinned or half a crown skinned...We hunted foxes...One got half a crown for a fox's tail when one brought it in." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.377.0 Deputy Penrose voted against the ban on staghunting
"[Minister Gormley] reserved his full contempt for Labour. "I find you absolutely shameful." It was difficult to disagree with him. The principled men and women of the Labour Party, who love to take a stand and cleave to it, blithely voting against a long-expressed opposition to animal cruelty and blood sports. No amount of shouting from Willie Penrose from Westmeath could change that, although he got a noisy round of applause from the Ward Union [hunt] people in the public gallery." Irish Times - Wednesday, June 30, 2010
"I have heard from people representing him that the Minister wants to get rid of coursing proposals implemented by a previous Minister, which were excellent. The Green Party was not satisfied and wanted to get rid of them. We say “No” to this today." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed), 29 June 2010.
Robert Troy, TD (Fianna Fail, Longford Westmeath):
During a Dail debate in July 2012, Robert Troy said he wanted to see the ban on cruel stag hunting rescinded. "I thought the Government parties might have used the opportunity...to rescind the ban on stag hunting," he stated. Watch on Youtube See Also: Robert Troy wants stag hunt ban rescinded
Robert Troy has told ICABS that he supports hare coursing because some of his constituents are engaged in the activity.
In 2010, Cllr Troy attended a meeting in Mullingar organised by pro-blood sports group, RISE. Cllr Troy spoke in support of RISE. A RISE sticker was displayed on the door of his constituency office.
* LOUTH
Peter Fitzpatrick, TD (Fine Gael, Louth):
"The legislation is necessary to allow people to continue lawful activities. Throughout my constituency of Louth, there are strong and law-abiding gun clubs...Gun clubs in rural areas...have a strong bond with and are respectful of nature...[Shooting animals] is a traditional skilled activity that has been handed down for generations. It is important for my rural constituents to have their traditions respected and honoured." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
Gerald Nash, TD (Labour Party, Louth):
Gerald Nash is a patron of Drogheda Animal Rescue Centre. His views on blood sports are currently unknown.
* MAYO
Dara Calleary, TD (Mayo, Fianna Fail):
"The Ward Union is on the scrap metal heap..." Dail debate, 8 November 2011
Enda Kenny, TD (Fine Gael, Mayo):
"I am opposed to the practice of live hare coursing." (from an email to ICABS, July 2003)
Enda Kenny is leader of Fine Gael. In the party's 2011 election manifesto, it is stated that "Fine Gael will reverse the ban on stag hunting." Read More
Fine Gael dismissed a suggestion by Meath TD, Shane McEntee, that the Ward Union stag hunt would be back. A spokesperson for Enda Kenny made it clear that "there is no such commitment in the Programme for Government" and that the Taoiseach "would not resile from what's in the Programme for Government." ICABS website, 15 November 2011
A statement issued last week by shooting organisation, NARGC, claims that "Enda Kenny gave a solemn commitment to all the hunting associations, when he met them on April 20th 2005 in the offices of the Irish Coursing Club in Clonmel, that Fine Gael would not in government agree to the introduction of restrictions or bans on hunting." In a letter to the Fine Gael leader, ICABS queried the claim and stated that if it was accurate, it was extremely disappointing to those campaigning against animal cruelty all across Ireland. We also conveyed our sadness at the claim that a meeting took place at the offices of the Irish Coursing Club. We reminded Mr Kenny that he confirmed to us in July 2003 that he is "opposed to the practice of live hare coursing". from ICABS website, March 2007.
John O'Mahony, TD (Fine Gael, Mayo):
"Mayo Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony, has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Denihan TD, to provide funding for a bounty for the killing of wild mink to the National Association of Regional Game Councils. Deputy O’Mahony said he raised the issue of wild mink in Mayo with Minister Deenihan and he was delighted that the details of the bounty had been announced...Minister Deenihan has met with the National Regional Game Councils, who have been actively promoting mink control and the result of it is the bounty that has just been announced. The Minister has committed €20,000 towards the bounty scheme and it will be paid to hunters based on the number of mink killed." from a statement on John O'Mahony's website, January 17, 2012.
Michael Ring, TD (Fine Gael, Mayo):
"I am personally against hare coursing. I am totally opposed to cruelty to animals but particularly this kind of cruelty in relation to blood sports."
* MEATH EAST
Dominic Hannigan, TD (Labour Party, Meath East):
A call for a voluntary ban on the shooting of curlews has come from Meath TD Dominic Hannigan. The Labour Deputy made the call as a month long hunting season for the globally threatened bird species opens on November 1st. "We have seen an almost catastrophic decline in the numbers of what was once one of Ireland’s most iconic birds. A recent survey by BirdWatch Ireland estimates the number of breeding pairs in the state may now be down to less than 200. Up to the 1970’s the native population of curlews was around 12,000 breeding pairs," said Hannigan. Deputy Hannigan said there was no single cause for of the decline of the curlew. "Numerous factors are involved including the loss of habitat due to an increase in forestry, commercial peat-cutting and windfarm developments. One thing is clear however we need to take measures to protect this native bird. One of those measures should be removing the curlew from the shooting list," Hannigan added. from Dominic Hannigan's Press Office, 14 November 2011
"In principle, we are in favour of the legislation, in that it regulates the operation of Puppy Farms – Ireland is seen as the puppy farm of Europe. But it appears that Minister Gormley is using the opportunity of the new legislation to include regulation of hunting dogs and greyhounds within the remit of the act. This has made the legislation contentious...The Minister was like a chased hare at a coursing event. He was getting attacked and questioned from all sides on this." from Dominic Hannigan's blog, February 28, 2010
We listened to the views of speakers from the Ward Union Hunt, a vet, a representative from fishermen and a representative from a Gun Club, amongst others. The key issue coming out of the meeting was the worry of many that these two pieces of legislation were just the thin edge of the wedge, and that further legislation would come in later, to ban things such as shooting, fishing and even sports such as horse-racing. I spoke in relation to this. I explained that there is no appetite amongst any politician on our side of the house to ban fishing, or ban shooting. from Dominic Hannigan's blog, October 17, 2010
* MEATH WEST
Damien English, TD (Fine Gael, Meath West):
"I shall take a few seconds to register my opposition to this Bill and my support for the Ward Union Hunt and hunts in general. I have spent all my life living beside the Meath Hunt and have watched it in operation. I watched how its members treat their dogs and run their business. I do not get a chance to follow or watch the Ward Union Hunt and its business but I know many of the people involved. They treat animals and operate in exactly the same way as the Meath Hunt. They have respect for animals and know what they are doing." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.377.0 Deputy English voted against the ban on staghunting
"Shane McEntee and Damien English promised unqualified support for the Ward Union and hunting in general from any incoming government led by Fine Gael." from the Hunting Association website, 2009.
* ROSCOMMON LEITRIM SOUTH
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, TD (Independent, Roscommon Leitrim South):
On 27th March 2013, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan supported an amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw fur farming.
"Roscommon/South Leitrim has massive potential to increase it share of tourism revenue from what is now an estimated €52 million/ per year...We have umpteen lakes suitable for fishing, shooting..." From the tourism section of Luke Flanagan's website - http://www.lukemingflanagan.ie/policies/tourism/
Denis Naughten, TD (Independent, Roscommon Leitrim South):
On 27th March 2013, Denis Naughten supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
* SLIGO LEITRIM NORTH
Michael Colreavy, TD (Sinn Fein, Sligo Leitrim North):
"The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010 in order that holders of shotgun licences can continue to use their firearms during the open season. This is a practical, sensible step that maintains the current process of applying for a licence to hold a firearm and continues it into the future...This will allow hunters to continue hunting during the open season without having to renew their licences during that period." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
"Many argue that it is not necessary to kill an animal to create an overcoat and that it is not necessary to put hares under stress or at serious risk of death or injury for sporting purposes. I am not sure a review group can present a mathematical equation to show whether the practices are right or wrong; it is a moral question." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (Continued), 22 November 2012
"Deputy Cowen referred to the very good work being done in the greyhound racing and coursing industry. It is a good industry and I have no doubt that 90% of the people involved treat their animals well and have animal welfare high on their list of priorities. Equally, however, I have no doubt that a percentage of those involved are treating their animals very poorly. Humans being human, a percentage certainly regard the industry as an opportunity to make money, at whatever cost." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Second Stage, 30 June 2011
John Perry, TD (Fine Gael, Sligo Leitrim North):
In a statement delivered at a pro-hunt meeting in January 2008, John Perry, TD stated: "Outdoor leisure and recreational activities such as hunting, shooting and fishing are factors that are a fundamental and integral part of the rural lifestyle...I will maintain my pressure on this Government to have our rich rural heritage recognised, and indeed protected by legislation, rather than being threatened by it." Responding to a complaint from ICABS, Deputy Perry said that he continues to "feel strongly about animal welfare and conservation of our wildlife". "I note your comments and will keep them in mind for the future," he added.
This pro-hunting TD voted against the staghunt ban in June 2010.
* TIPPERARY NORTH
Michael Lowry, TD (Independent, Tipperary North):
"A number of TDs, including Jackie Healy Rae and Michael Lowry, had earlier voiced concern that the Greens' ban on stag hunting and their dog breeding bill indicated a lack of empathy with country pursuits." (Sunday Business Post, 04 April 2010)
"After today's discussion with John Curran Government Chief Whip, I confirmed that I am not in a position to support this Stag Hunting Bill which threatens the future of hunting and coursing in Ireland. In advance of my discussions with the Chief Whip, I consulted with my Independent colleague Jackie Healy Rae T.D. who is equally concerned with the implications of this legislation for rural Ireland. Jackie Healy Rae is taking the same stand as myself on these two Bills. It is my firm intention to vote against the Bill and I will not be deflected from that decision...I represent North Tipperary, a land famous for its long tradition of hunting, coursing, greyhound racing." Statement from Michael Lowry TD, June 2010
Independent TD, Michael Lowry, voted AGAINST the staghunt ban in June 2010.
Noel Coonan, TD (Fine Gael, Tipperary North):
"He might allow hare coursing be shown free to air." Directed at Eamon Ryan (Minister of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources) during a Dail debate on Broadcasting Legislation - 1 June 2010.
* TIPPERARY SOUTH
Tom Hayes, TD (Fine Gael, Tipperary South):
At the Knockgraffon coursing meet in November 2012, the owner of a winning greyhound was listed as The Coalition Syndicate. According to the Clonmel and Kilsheelan coursing club website, one of the members of this syndicate is Tipperary South Fine Gael TD, Tom Hayes.
"Local Fine Gael T.D. Tom Hayes has confirmed that 1 million Euro has been secured for the redevelopment of Clonmel Greyhound Stadium following discussions with Bord na gCon. Speaking on today’s announcement the South Tipperary Deputy said, 'This news is the culmination of months of work and I am delighted to see such a commitment being made by the IGB to Clonmel Greyhound Stadium...Given that the construction plans are already prepared I expect to see the entire project completed in time for the 2013 coursing season.'" from the Tom Hayes website, February 14th, 2012.
"At a recent meet of the Kilmoganny Hounds, members were canvassed for their support by successful Fine Gael candidates Tom Hayes (Tipperary South) and John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny)". From the Hunting Association of Ireland website. An accompanying photo shows "Tom Hayes and John Paul Phelan at a recent meet of the Kilmoganny Hounds" next to horses and hounds. (2011)
"I attended six coursing meetings in the past few months and I did not see one hare killed. I love what is good in rural Ireland, whether it is coursing, hunting hares, beagling or whatever, and I believe there is a strong agenda to stop those sports...I represent a constituency that is proud of its heritage in the coursing and animal welfare world." (March 2005)
"A growing number of people have an agenda to try to get sports such as coursing banned...I come from an area of the country that has a very strong tradition of coursing. Given the way those coursing meetings are guarded and protected, I would challenge any of those people opposed to those sports to come and see at first hand exactly how they are run. Too much is being written and said about those sports which are major tourism attractions, particularly hunting and fishing...Some people have an agenda to suggest to the public that those sports are cruel. The people involved in those sports are committed to animal welfare and protecting all the animals involved...I challenge them, and particularly those Members of this House, to come with me to the coursing in Clonmel and Cashel, and to the fishing in Golden. They could come to any place in my constituency and see how the people in that area look after those animals and look after their sports." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, 20 September 2012.
"The Fine Gael opposes the "anti puppy farming" Bill because John Gormley has broken his promises and turned it into an ‘anti hunt kennel’ Bill. It threatens the demise of the sport and industry of greyhound coursing and racing...They propose to ban the Ward Union Staghounds in counties Meath and Dublin. Fine Gael has opposed this ban because it is the thin end of the wedge of banning other rural sports like fox hunting, harriers, coursing, gun clubs and even angling." from Rural Ireland struggles as Fianna Fail bows to the Greens, Tom Hayes TD website, 16th April, 2010.
High-profile supporters of [coursing] in Ireland include footballer-turned-movie star Vinnie Jones, forner Irish soccer international Niall Quinn and a number of politicians, including Fine Gael TD Tom Hayes, who had a dog racing at Clonmel which he shares with former TD Liam Burke. from Hare today, gone tomorrow? Irish Independent, 7th February 2004
"A coaltion of [hunting, shooting and coursing groups] have praised Mattie McGrath as well as Tom Hayes, Michael Lowry and Noel Coonan for their opposition to John Gormley's bill [which banned stag hunting in Ireland]." That Nationalist, 5th July 2010
"The greyhound and coursing industries have been getting bad press due to a lack of knowledge." Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006: Second Stage, 8 June 2006
Seamus Healy, TD (Workers and Unemployed Action Group, Tipperary South):
"I ask the Minister to confirm that the Bill will not adversely affect any properly organised or regulated greyhound and coursing industries. That is an important consideration." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Thursday, 20 September 2012.
Cllr. Seamus Healy said at this week's County Council meeting the fact that coursing was being discussed in the Programme for Government talks put the coursing industry in jeopardy. The national coursing meeting was very important for Clonmel, bringing in millions of Euro to the local economy during the festival week. "It is an industry that has created employment and is very important to Clonmel and South Tipperary," he told the meeting. Cllr. Healy proposed that the Council write to the Taoiseach and Fianna Fail Oireachtas members on the issue. The Nationalist, 7 October 2009. http://www.nationalist.ie/news/local/green-party-ban-on-coursing-would-cost-clonmel-16m-1-2245983
"This is a small but important industry, particularly in the area from where I come in south Tipperary in which the Clonmel track is located and which hosts the national coursing festival each year. The greyhound and coursing industries are important and give much employment and support to other industries and business in the town of Clonmel and much enjoyment and sport to the many people involved at all levels." Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006
"Cllr Seamus Healy said he had no brief for stag hunting and did not support it." Tipperary Star, 15 June 2010
Mattie McGrath, TD (Independent, Tipperary South):
"I am totally supportive of the practice of coursing...I have a gun licence to shoot fowl...Is it not better for a young boy or girl to be outside fishing or hunting than sitting at home every day in front of computer on Facebook, Google or whatever else? At least when they return to school after the summer, their teachers can ask them about flora, fauna and mother nature, about which I learned when I went coursing as a buachaill og with the men of the parish. Coursing was good, healthy exercise and all I had was the butt of a stick to hit a ditch." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
Mattie McGrath spoke in favour of hare coursing on the Pat Kenny Radio Show on October 1st 2009. You can listen to Deputy McGrath's defence of this cruel activity by downloading the show. Deputy McGrath voted against the ban on staghunting in June 2010.
"It has been noted that this stag hunt has been in existence since 1854 and reference has been made to its benefits. People who take part in rural pursuits and who get their children involved will care for animals more than any animal rights person or self-proclaimed animal rights people because they are close to nature...I know nothing about stag hunting because I do not live in that part of the country so I will not stray into it. However, I am disappointed in the way they have been vilified." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, Thursday, 24 June 2010
According to a comment left on a hunting website, Mattie McGrath "was at the national coursing meeting plying for votes this week [February 2011] on the strength of his stand against the hunting ban".
"Hopefully, the Minister will be able to find Eur 1 million or so for the track in Clonmel. It is very important. Coursing is a huge industry and is worth Eur 6 million or Eur 7 million to South Tipperary. The Clonmel event is known throughout Europe. I have been there many times. There is none of the savagery that is often spoken about." From a Dail debate on the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30 June 2011
* WATERFORD
Paudie Coffey, TD (Fine Gael, Waterford):
"Can the Minister reassure the House that in his tenure as the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, he will not bring forth any legislation that will affect the hunting of foxes, coursing or any other shooting or hunting pursuits that are traditional in Ireland? Can he give a categorical assurance today that this will be an end to it?...The Ward Union Hunt has been a responsible organisation in carrying out its pursuits and activities. It has always complied with regulations and the licensing conditions put on it. Much of its resources and those of the State were used to ensure it carried out its activities in a proper way." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee Stage, 2nd July 2010
"Those involved in these rural pursuits [e.g. hunting] are not breaking any law; they are only doing what previous generations did. They are concerned that the Bill will affect the viability of these pursuits, in the process threatening their existence. I can appreciate their concerns, which is why we have tabled amendments to protect an indigenous industry that dates back many generations." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 9th March 2010
John Halligan, TD (Independent, Waterford)
"I can confirm that Mr Halligan would consider blood sports to be a form of animal cruelty and as such would be in favour of any proposal to have same banned." from the office of John Halligan TD, 14th March 2012
"Mr Halligan is completely and utterly against any form of animal cruelty" (From the office of John Halligan, TD, 14th February 2012)
"I believe that hunting animals for pleasure is wrong and would be opposed to any motion that would be taking a step backwards in this regard." (From email to ICABS Supporter, February 2011)
* WEXFORD
John Browne, TD (FF, Wexford):
"I welcome the Bill, even though it has taken some time to get here. The purpose of the Bill is to make provision for an extension of the current hunting licence provisions for the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010. It removes the end date for certain provisions in that Act. All shotgun licences issued after 1 August 2009 will be valid for use by hunters to hunt lawfully wild birds and hares within the appropriate open seasons." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012
In September 2009, Deputy Browne forwarded an appeal to Minister Brendan Smith and John Gormley and asked them to "seriously consider" the points ICABS raised about hare coursing.
Paul Kehoe, TD (Fine Gael, Wexford)
Paul Kehoe voted AGAINST the staghunt ban in June 2010.
"The Government Chief Whip, Minister Paul Kehoe T.D., today announced the Legislative Programme for the Spring Parliamentary session of 2012...Progress will also continue to be made in a number of other areas with the introduction of...new animal welfare laws" Paul Kehoe statement, January 11, 2012
"Taoiseach Brian Cowen reminded every TD of their responsibility. Mr McGrath and Mr O'Sullivan still abstained. A peace process began with the rebels. Their abstention provoked Fine Gael's whip Paul Kehoe to up the ante. He withdrew an agreement to keep two of his TDs back to cancel out two sick men - Sean Ardagh and Noel Treacy..." Irish Examiner Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Mick Wallace, TD (Independent, Wexford)
On 27th March 2013, Mick Wallace supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
* WICKLOW
Stephen Donnelly, TD (Independent, Wicklow):
On 27th March 2013, Stephen Donnelly supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Andrew Doyle, TD (Fine Gael, Wicklow):
Fine Gael Wicklow Deputy, Andrew Doyle, said today that laws governing puppy farming are long overdue and called on the Environment Minister to introduce regulations originally promised in 2006. Deputy Doyle added that a recent raid on a ‘puppy farm’ in Co. Wicklow, where 82 dogs were found mistreated and almost a quarter had to be put down highlighted just how badly regulations are needed and just how negligent the Fianna Fáil/Green Government is in not introducing them. “How many more raids on farms that treat dogs in such a repugnant manner will it take before Fianna Fáil and the Greens act on this practice? from a media statement issued by Andrew Doyle, Sunday 22nd July 2007.
Simon Harris, TD (Fine Gael, Wicklow):
Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris, has stated that he is looking forward to the introduction of the new animal welfare bill. Deputy Harris stated ‘I have spoken directly to Minister Coveney regarding several issues around animal welfare in County Wicklow. Minister Coveney has stressed that the new bill will provide for a clearer level of expectation of care for animals as well as trying to deal with some of the issues around how companies interacting with animals must act. ‘I am confident that the changes that will emerge when this bill is introduced will provide greater clarity around animal health and welfare. ‘The Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 is currently at Committee stage and the updating of this Bill is a significant positive improvement on the existing bill and should bring necessary changes for the improvement of the health and welfare of animals,’ concluded Deputy Harris. SimonHarris.ie, November 26 2012
Billy Timmins, TD (Fine Gael, Wicklow)
"As a Party, we are not opposed to countryside sports" (From an email to an ICABS supporter, February 2011). Billy Timmins voted AGAINST the staghunt ban in June 2010.
Deputy Billy Timmins is calling for a temporary suspension of the Open Hunting Season if temperatures remain exceptionally low. The freezing weather means many animals, such as deer herds, move to low ground where food is more commonly available. However, this also leaves them an easy target for hunters. Deputy Timmins has requested that Environment Minister, John Gormley, should introduce a temporary hunting suspension until the freezing weather conditions pass. 'It would be nice if gun club members, who are responsible country sports enthusiasts, would take the initiative and act in a professional and ethical way and introduce a voluntary suspension of shooting of any wildlife, whether that be deer, wild birds, waterfowl or game birds during this period of adverse weather. It could be in advance of a statutory ban.' from Call for temporary ban on all hunting, Wicklow People, 08 December 2010.
NOTE: We are trying to add to this list on an ongoing basis. Please help us - forward copies of replies you receive from politicians. If you are a TD, Senator or Councillor and would like to be included in this list, please get in touch with us now. Thank you.
Views of current TDs
Alphabetical list
James Bannon, TD (Fine Gael, Longford-Westmeath):
"The Fine Gael Party will strongly oppose any change to the existing licensing arrangements for stag and fox hunting. Any new regulations made by the Minister, or his Government, will be reversed." (Speaking during the Field Sport Regulation Adjournment Debate on 11 March 2010. To read the full text of the debate, Click Here).
"I emphasise that I am totally opposed to this legislation [to ban the Ward Union deerhunt], as a representative of Longford-Westmeath and as a countryman who supports the rural pursuits and unique heritage and tradition of field sports...hunting creates a sense of community in rural areas. My farm has facilitated hunting throughout my life and both my father and grandfather before him allowed the hunts to pass through our lands. I will continue to allow them do so. Hunting unites farmers and sports people for a common recreational purpose and tradition. I am deeply concerned at the appalling actions of the Minister and his wilting Green Party, which are aimed at destroying country wide field sports...I was shocked to see on the Minister's website the no-holes-barred assertion that the Green Party intended to attack coursing and fox hunting and secure a legislative ban on all blood sports...I cannot emphasise strongly enough the devastation to the sporting, economic, leisure and tourism activities of any ban on field sports, hare coursing or stag hunting. Any such move would be detrimental to the country as a whole and to the countryside in particular...Banning hunting, which is a strong tradition in rural Ireland going back centuries and over many generations, would be a threat to the rural way of life and would be strongly resisted by rural people and by people living in towns who participate in rural sports, many of whom I am delighted to welcome onto my farm every spring. " Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, Thursday, 24 June 2010
"I can assure the Minister of State that any attempt to ban hunting, which is a strong tradition in rural Ireland going back centuries and many generations, would be a threat to the rural way of life and would be strongly resisted by rural people...Deer and fox hunting have a long history in this country since the 19th century and earlier." Stated by James Bannon during Field Sport Regulation, Adjournment Debate, 11 March 2010.
Tom Barry, TD (Fine Gael, Cork East):
"As a person who shoots game...Shooting at game are part of the countryside and will remain. I disagree fundamentally with people who say that we shouldn't be doing it at all." From a Dail debate on the Wildlife Act, featured on Oireachtas Report, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
Richard Boyd Barrett, TD (People Before Profit Alliance, Dun Laoghaire):
"The gaping omission in this Bill is that although animal cruelty is well defined, along with the need to make it illegal to engage in cruelty against animals, there are two specific opt-outs in the areas of hare coursing and fox hunting. That is unacceptable and difficult to understand. What possible justification is there for this when cruelty is so well defined as causing unnecessary suffering to animals? How can the Minister indicate that cruelty in some circumstances can be allowed, justified or excluded from the provisions of the Bill that try to establish a humane regime for the treatment of animals? The Minister simply cannot justify this exclusion and he should not do so.
"The Bill needs to be amended in this regard because hare coursing involves cruelty to animals in all the ways described by Deputy Daly and fox hunting also involves cruelty and suffering for animals. It is not something the vast majority of people in the country want or support. Outlawing this form of cruelty does not endanger traditional pursuits because, as has been well debated and discussed and I do not need to inform the Minister of it, there are humane alternatives whereby such activities can be carried on in other ways such as through drag coursing which do not require the suffering of animals. The Minister should take his lead from Northern Ireland where hare coursing has been banned and we should do the same. There should be no exemptions. Cruelty to animals is cruelty to animals and it should not be allowed. I welcome the Bill but it is important that the Government makes these amendments and removes the exclusions on hare coursing and fox hunting." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch on Youtube
On 27th March 2013, Richard Boyd Barrett supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Pat Breen, TD (Fine Gael, Clare):
"We all know people in every parish in every county who take great pride in their greyhounds and Clare is no different. Many of the dog breeders there go to the greyhound tracks in Limerick or Galway every Friday and Saturday night and they look forward to that social event. Greyhound racing and coursing are extremely important...Many people are involved in coursing clubs, such as the Tradaree Coursing Club. They want to have a dog who will raise a flag and win a race in Clonmel or wherever...I visited the kennels of the County Clare Hunt, which are located in my parish of Drumquin." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage, 2nd June 2010
Tommy Broughan, TD (Labour Party, Dublin North-East ):
ICABS has sent a message of thanks to Dublin North East TD, Tommy Broughan, after he abstained from voting in the Wildlife Amendment Bill vote in 2010. "We wish to thank you very much for remaining true to your principles and refusing to vote against the Wildlife Amendment Bill on Tuesday. Your action helped achieve success for this historic bill and bring the cruel ward union hunt to an end. You have our greatest respect and admiration," we stated. Read More
"I remain opposed to all so called blood 'sports'." (February 2010)
"[I] support your call to introduce drag coursing in place of coursing of hares." (September 2003)
On 27th March 2013, Tommy Broughan supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
John Browne, TD (FF, Wexford):
"I welcome the Bill, even though it has taken some time to get here. The purpose of the Bill is to make provision for an extension of the current hunting licence provisions for the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010. It removes the end date for certain provisions in that Act. All shotgun licences issued after 1 August 2009 will be valid for use by hunters to hunt lawfully wild birds and hares within the appropriate open seasons." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012
In September 2009, Deputy Browne forwarded an appeal to Minister Brendan Smith and John Gormley and asked them to "seriously consider" the points ICABS raised about hare coursing.
Eric Byrne, TD (Labour Party, Dublin South Central):
"I am sure that nobody likes to see or indeed put animals to death. I am a hillwalker and I hate to see those guys with their guns all dressed up like Army Rangers waiting to kill the deer." From an email to ICABS, December 2010.
Dara Calleary, TD (Mayo, Fianna Fail):
"The Ward Union is on the scrap metal heap..." Dail debate, 8 November 2011
Joe Carey, TD (Clare, Fine Gael):
"I am a greyhound owner and breeder...I acknowledge and welcome the involvement of greyhound industry interests, including the IGB [and] Irish Coursing Club..." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Second Stage, 30 June 2011.
"I wish to put on record my opposition to this Bill and its knock-on effect on the greyhound industry. The Irish greyhound industry is a world leader and it has been allowed to grow and develop under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill will tamper with and have a very negative effect on the greyhound industry." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Discussion, 11 May 2010
"This column has gone to the dogs, so today, we are dedicating it to Taco Beauty, a dark brindle breeding bitch belonging to Clare TD Joe Carey. While speaking on the controversial dog breeding Bill in the Dail yesterday, Fine Gael's new assistant chief whip told his delighted colleagues that he just found out that his breeding bitch is in pup." from Miriam Lord's week column, Irish Times, 3rd July 2010
"Deputy Joe Carey: I welcome the Minister's new-found regard for the Irish Coursing Club." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009, 8th July 2010.
Paudie Coffey, TD (Fine Gael, Waterford):
"Can the Minister reassure the House that in his tenure as the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, he will not bring forth any legislation that will affect the hunting of foxes, coursing or any other shooting or hunting pursuits that are traditional in Ireland? Can he give a categorical assurance today that this will be an end to it?...The Ward Union Hunt has been a responsible organisation in carrying out its pursuits and activities. It has always complied with regulations and the licensing conditions put on it. Much of its resources and those of the State were used to ensure it carried out its activities in a proper way." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee Stage, 2nd July 2010
"Those involved in these rural pursuits [e.g. hunting] are not breaking any law; they are only doing what previous generations did. They are concerned that the Bill will affect the viability of these pursuits, in the process threatening their existence. I can appreciate their concerns, which is why we have tabled amendments to protect an indigenous industry that dates back many generations." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 9th March 2010
Joan Collins, TD (People Before Profit, Dublin South-Central):
"I will be supporting the [anti-coursing] bill that my United Left Alliance colleague, Clare Daly TD is working on." 7 February, 2012
The office of Joan Collins TD has confirmed that the Dublin South-Central Deputy "is in support of a ban on live hare coursing".
On 14 September 2011, Deputy Collins asked Minister Simon Coveney "his policy on hare coursing" and "his plans to ban this practice".
On 27th March 2013, Joan Collins supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Niall Collins, TD (FF, Limerick):
"...the Minister travelled around the country scaring people in fishing clubs, coursing clubs, shooting clubs and anybody else to whom he could talk." Niall Collins during a debate on the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011, 25 January 2012.
In a February 2012 Dail Question, Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht "his policy on hare coursing" and "his policy on stag hunting".
In 2008, Deputy Niall Collins called on Environment Minister John Gormley to grant coursing licences as a matter of urgency. Quoted in the Irish Examiner of August 19, 2008, he said: "It stands to reason that once the licences have been granted the various coursing clubs and organisations can better plan when, where and how they will capture hares. This will help to ensure that the best possible care for the hares is provided and it will also give the various coursing clubs more certainty when it comes to planning their activities...I do not agree with the narrow view taken by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports on this issue, as they don't understand and value the traditional and cultural elements of this greyhound sector."
"In Opposition, the Taoiseach's party and the Labour Party opposed the ban on the Ward Union stag hunt. Will the Government be introducing legislation to reverse the ban? If so, when?" from a Dail debate, 8 November 2011
"Fianna Fail TD Niall Collins believed that RISE was not a mass movement of rural interests but a 'professional lobby group' led by influential people who were involved in politics or are politically engaged. 'RISE has succeeded in confusing the nation and causing upset and anxiety across all its rural pressure groups about the ban on stag hunting, even though it is clear from the Programme for Government that fox hunting, hare coursing, angling, shooting and all outdoor pursuits are all safe,' said Collins." Sunday Business Post, 4th July 2010
Michael Colreavy, TD (Sinn Fein, Sligo Leitrim North):
"The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010 in order that holders of shotgun licences can continue to use their firearms during the open season. This is a practical, sensible step that maintains the current process of applying for a licence to hold a firearm and continues it into the future...This will allow hunters to continue hunting during the open season without having to renew their licences during that period." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
"Many argue that it is not necessary to kill an animal to create an overcoat and that it is not necessary to put hares under stress or at serious risk of death or injury for sporting purposes. I am not sure a review group can present a mathematical equation to show whether the practices are right or wrong; it is a moral question." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (Continued), 22 November 2012
"Deputy Cowen referred to the very good work being done in the greyhound racing and coursing industry. It is a good industry and I have no doubt that 90% of the people involved treat their animals well and have animal welfare high on their list of priorities. Equally, however, I have no doubt that a percentage of those involved are treating their animals very poorly. Humans being human, a percentage certainly regard the industry as an opportunity to make money, at whatever cost." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Second Stage, 30 June 2011
Noel Coonan, TD (Fine Gael, Tipperary North):
"He might allow hare coursing be shown free to air." Directed at Eamon Ryan (Minister of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources) during a Dail debate on Broadcasting Legislation - 1 June 2010.
Joe Costello, TD (Labour, Dublin Central):
"I am opposed to all blood sports."
In January 2012, Joe Costello (Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) attended a protest against hare coursing outside the Department of Agriculture. Minister Costello stood alongside a banner calling for TDs to "Support the Bill to End Hare Coursing". Read More
"The legislation is silent on blood sports. While it refers to hunting, this concerns licences for hunting and ensuring there is not indiscriminate killing of wildlife. The two are different. One is the shooting or culling of wildlife whereas bloodsports concern a person chasing wildlife for pleasure and enjoyment. We must address the bloodsports issue in Ireland. We have touched on it from time to time but we have never dealt with it seriously, either in terms of coursing, fox hunting, stag hunting or badger baiting or hunting, nor have we addressed the considerable cruelty attached to the manner in which it is done and the way the animal is treated both in the hunt and in the killing. We hear horrific stories every season. We must recognise that the animals involved are all wild animals, foxes, stags and badgers, and are hunted, not for human food but for human pleasure. That is what we must examine...Hunting for pleasure is unacceptable and the line must be drawn that, while there is commercial hunting, fishing and culling of wildlife, there should not be commercial or other forms of bloodsports where human beings not only chase animals but kill them, which is the normal outcome of the chase. It involves a considerable amount of cruelty, does not benefit anyone and does not redound to the well-being of or a sense of respect for animals which we should have. I urge the Minister to examine this issue seriously to see whether some movement can be made." (Speaking as a Senator in 16th November 2000).
Simon Coveney (Fine Gael, Cork South Central):
"For the sake of clarity, this section does not apply to activity occurring during the normal course of hunting, fishing or coursing...We have done a separate review on fur farming, the details of which I can give to the Deputy. We will not ban it..." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch on Youtube
"It is not appropriate to simply outlaw hare coursing and hunting when they are pursued according the to the codes of conduct drawn up by clubs. Considerable numbers of people are passionate about these pursuits and my job is to ensure that standards are met rather than simply outlawing practices." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 20th, 2012.
"We went to great lengths to ensure we were not doing anything that would prevent people from continuing to participate in field sports as they would have in the past, as long as that is in a way that is consistent with the codes of conduct enshrined in those sports, including coursing, hunting and fishing. The measure applies only if there is undue cruelty such as the digging out of animals when they have gone to ground, which is unacceptable. In the legislation I am not banning coursing and hunting through the back door. We are trying to get the balance right between facilitating field sports and ensuring the codes of practice agreed for those sports are respected. If people begin to operate outside these codes, that is a different issue." Simon Coveney (Minister, Department of Agriculture, the Marine and Food; Cork South Central, Fine Gael) Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage, 22 May 2012 Watch on Youtube
"I am trying to get balanced legislation that takes account of farming and hunting practices in a reasonable way, but also provides appropriate protection for animals to ensure that we do not have either wanton or accidental cruelty because neither is acceptable." Dail Eireann Questions and Answers, 10th May 2012
Barry Cowen, TD (Fianna Fail, Laoighis Offaly):
"I will not be supporting any upcoming bill seeking to ban hare coursing." Barry Cowen in an email to ICABS, 1st February, 2012.
"An Taoiseach's brother Barry Cowen has been appointed to the vacant General Manager position at Mullingar Greyhound Track. Cowen takes over as Sales, Commercial and Operations Manager at Mullingar Track next Monday...Cowen is a well known and successful greyhound owner and has been involved in the ownership of many of the very speedy Gilbeyhall greyhounds." Irish Examiner Thursday, November 04, 2010.
Clara Councillor Barry Cowen has refuted claims that recently proposed bills have a 'hidden agenda' in relation to the hunting industry. Cllr Cowen has issued a statement clarifying aspects of the two recently proposed Bills, the Wildlife Amendment Bill 2010 and Dog Breeding Bill. "Having recently attended a public meeting organised by RISE, I feel it necessary to re-affirm the Bills' contents and refute the claims by RISE that there is some wider agenda," commented Cllr Cowen..."RISE are wrong to suggest there is some wider agenda. Minister Gormley recently confirmed the legislation will not have any implications for other country pursuits such as fox hunting, hare hunting, hare coursing or deer stalking. This bill only affects those involved in stag hunting, any suggestion otherwise by RISE is misleading and false," remarked Cllr Cowen. "This bill is about ensuring the highest standard possible for our animals. The proposed legislation will not have any implications for other country pursuits such as fox hunting, hare coursing, fishing, deer stalking. All allegations that this is a threat to these industries is false," concluded Cllr Cowen. Offaly Express, May 11, 2010
"I know the [greyhound] industry and grew up with it and realise its potential. I grew up realising its impact on rural communities and its great social benefit. It has the potential to be exported and nobody should stand in the way of the Department, the Irish Coursing Club and the Irish Greyhound Board in exploring this to the utmost." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2010, 30th June 2011.
Jerry Buttimer, TD (Fine Gael, Cork South Central):
"As someone who has had a family involvement in greyhounds over the years, I think it is important that we understand the massive economic activity that the greyhound industry generates in Ireland...We must examine the issue of making greyhound racing and horse racing sustainable in this country. We must look at the betting industry here." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30th June 2011.
Michael Creed, TD (Fine Gael, Cork North-West):
In a statement issued in October 2009, Michael Creed, TD stated: "Fine Gael supports country sports which are carried out humanely, properly supervised and monitored and that do not involve any undue risk to animal welfare. If these criteria can be satisfied Fine Gael does not oppose properly licensed country sports activities. Fine Gael will oppose any move by Government to deny groups who have conducted their activities as per their licences, the right to continue to pursue these activities in the future. We believe that imposing a ban on these licensed activities would be a retrograde step both in terms of animal welfare and economically. "
Fine Gael's Spokesperson for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Michael Creed, has been asked by ICABS to stop defending the cruel blood sport of beagling. In a Sunday Independent report, the County Cork TD sided with the beaglers and criticised Minister John Gormley for restricting the beagling season. The June 1st 2008 article quoted Deputy Creed as saying that "any assault on the ordinary working man's pursuit of beagling by some Green metropolitan latte-drinking elite would not be taken lying down". For more information, see ICABS responds to Deputy Michael Creed's beagling remarks
Sean Crowe, TD (Sinn Fein, Dublin South West):
"Sinn Féin as a party is absolutely opposed to blood 'sports' and motions to this effect have been passed at the last two Ard Fheiseanna with overwhelming support. On my own part, I find these activities to be a loathsome practice and the argument that they are in some manner a necessary part of traditional, rural life insulting to the intelligence. I would be delighted to support any and all legislation, which restricts, or bans these 'sports'."
Clare Daly, TD (Socialist Party, Dublin North):
"That the practice of hare coursing is being excluded from the protections of this Bill is such an absolute gaping anomaly. It's a contradiction. In essence, what we're doing is recognising that the practice itself is inherently cruel but then we are allowing it to continue. It is something that I, and a majority of Irish citizens, consistently in opinion polls believe is an outdated practice which has no part in modern Ireland...Information circulated to all Deputies which shows that a very successful drag coursing event took place negates the traditional argument that people who love greyhounds will not have a chance to exercise their dogs and allow them to compete. That argument is an absolute nonsense. We do not need hare coursing to continue for dogs to be exercised or compete in this manner. Successful drag coursing events held in Ireland prove this and negate that argument. The Minister must take this on board. Not allowing this barbarity to continue and replacing it with drag coursing would do far better for our tourism industry...We've heard an awful lot over the years to justify hare coursing - ridiculous arguments in my mind, all of which can be defeated. Nonsense like 'the hares are being looked after and they're being protected'. Let's be clear here: these animals are picked up, snatched from their environment, kept to be chased by dogs and sustain massive injuries..." Animal Health and Welfare Bill, 27 March 2013. Watch on Youtube
"The Bill acknowledges that these practices [coursing and foxhunting] are cruel and inflict pain and unnecessary suffering, yet it exempts them from the protection it rightly provides in other circumstances. This is not adequate in a civilised society and is not good enough in a Bill on animal welfare. It is certainly not good enough for hares and foxes." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch Clare's speech on Youtube
"My Technical Group colleague, Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, has asked me to apologise on her behalf as she is unfortunately unable to contribute to the debate. Like me, she welcomes all initiatives that promote animal welfare and looks forward to the day when coursing, fur farming, fox hunting and all such activities are banned. All these so-called sports have, at their core, deliberate and wilful cruelty to animals, including death." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Second Stage, 30 June 2011.
"The Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 talks about the prohibition of terrifying or baiting an animal. It goes on to exempt hare coursing. One Bill acknowledges that hare coursing is cruel by putting in an exemption for hares. Hares are exempt from protection in one Bill and are included in this Bill to allow them to be shot, presumably over the course of the next few months, in case some of them got away or something like that...It is appropriate to say that this barbarity must stop. What did the hare ever do? We are talking about making provision for licences to allow people to shoot this unique animal - an endemic sub-species that is not found anywhere else in the world - in the open season. I am suggesting that other forms of treatment of this species, such as hare coursing activity, are relevant in this context. We have allowed this activity to continue for more than 100 years while other jurisdictions have been criminalising it...It is scandalous that this activity continues...The Irish Coursing Club has said that hares come to no harm in coursing because they are protected by the existing rules governing the sport, as the club calls it. That is completely and utterly false. It does not stand up to any scrutiny of the evidence...The Irish Wildlife Trust has suggested in one of its reports that the unsustainable taking of hares for sporting purposes could be one of the reasons the species is threatened and in decline. It is obvious that this extension of hunting licences, to allow some more hares to be shot, will pose a further threat to the species as a whole." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch Clare's speech on Youtube
"We in the Socialist Party oppose stag hunting and the inherent cruelty of hunting animals purely for human enjoyment. We will oppose any attempt to overturn the ban from within the Dail. We also support the banning of hare coursing and we would be in favour of legislation which aimed to do so." March 22nd, 2011.
In 2007, Councillor Clare Daly proposed a successful motion to ban the Use of Wild Animals in Circuses on land Owned by Fingal County Council. The final wording of the agreed motion was: "That Fingal County Council support the introduction of by-laws or other measures which would ensure that circuses which use wild animals are prohibited from performing in any part of the local authority area, in light of the well-documented evidence of suffering endured by the animals involved and the serious animal welfare issues raised."
On 27th March 2013, Clare Daly presented/supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Jimmy Deenihan, TD (Fine Gael, Kerry North Limerick West):
"I go to the occasional coursing meeting...I totally agree with Deputy [Mattie] McGrath that local gun and coursing clubs are really very important for the preservation of wildlife in this country." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
"Whatever I can do for coursing while I am in this job, I will certainly do it." Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht at the 2012 annual hare coursing awards. Sporting Press website, 30 March 2012
"It was I who proposed muzzling greyhounds for coursing and it is working very well." (Note: muzzling is actually not "working well"; hares continue to suffer and die during coursing meetings as muzzled dogs hit the creatures and maul them into the ground)
According to a report in Kerry's Eye, Jimmy Deehinhan was present at an Abbeydorney Hunt on January 27 1997
"On a personal basis, I have very little interest in coursing. On a personal basis, it would not bother me whether coursing was banned or not...the coursing fraternity in this country are very concerned about the future of the sport...many Catholic clergy are involved in hare coursing." from a letter written by Jimmy Deenihan to an animal welfare group in Hawaii in the early 1990s.
Patrick Deering, TD (Fine Gael, Carlow-Kilkenny):
Patrick Deering's director of elections in the 2011 General Election was Phil Meaney - "a member of the executive committee of the Irish Coursing Club and a member of the finance committee of the Irish Coursing Club" (Source Department of Agriculture website, 2011). Mr Meaney was subsequently appointed to the position of chairman of Bord na gCon. According to the Irish Independent of May 1st 2011, "The Government was in one hell of a hurry to appoint Mr Meaney to the top Bord na gCon job. [Agriculture Minister Simon] Coveney even admitted to having been politically lobbied, but insisted that was not a factor...Fine Gael Carlow TD, Pat Deering, conceded that he had lobbied on behalf of Mr Meaney."
Pearse Doherty, TD (Sinn Fein, Donegal South West):
"This government is allocating 76 euro million to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund while giving less than that, 64 million euro, to the Drugs Initiatives and Young People's Facilities Fund. This is unacceptable. If the government were to re-allocate tax payers money out of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund then resources for the Drugs Initiatives and Young People's Facilities Fund under Budget 2008 could be more than doubled." (Donegal Sinn Fein Senator Pearse Doherty in a Donegal News report highlighting how the county's drugs squad has been left with just one part-time officer - February 1st, 2008)
Stephen Donnelly, TD (Independent, Wicklow):
On 27th March 2013, Stephen Donnelly supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Paschal Donohoe, TD (Fine Gael, Dublin Central):
In the party's 2011 election manifesto, it is stated that "Fine Gael will reverse the ban on stag hunting." Read More
Timmy Dooley, TD (Fianna Fail, Clare):
"There is nothing in this legislation that can in any way impact on greyhound racing, hare coursing, fox hunting, fishing or shooting. I would not and will not support any legislation that would seek to ban any of these pursuits, which are an integral part of the fabric of rural life." from "Fianna Fáil resignation over stag ban", Clare Champion, 2010.
Robert Dowds, TD (Labour Party, Dublin Mid West):
As a councillor in 2006/2007, Robert Dowds joined ICABS in appealing for the installation of surveillance cameras at a Dublin park where greyhounds were blooded in broad daylight. Cllr Dowds was told by the Senior Parks Superintendent that: "We will examine the possible use of CCTV in the search for a means of trying to resolve the issue."
Andrew Doyle, TD (Fine Gael, Wicklow):
Fine Gael Wicklow Deputy, Andrew Doyle, said today that laws governing puppy farming are long overdue and called on the Environment Minister to introduce regulations originally promised in 2006. Deputy Doyle added that a recent raid on a ‘puppy farm’ in Co. Wicklow, where 82 dogs were found mistreated and almost a quarter had to be put down highlighted just how badly regulations are needed and just how negligent the Fianna Fáil/Green Government is in not introducing them. “How many more raids on farms that treat dogs in such a repugnant manner will it take before Fianna Fáil and the Greens act on this practice? from a media statement issued by Andrew Doyle, Sunday 22nd July 2007.
Bernard Durkan, TD (Fine Gael, Kildare North):
"My views on live hare coursing are fairly well known. In fact, during debates on the subject in the late Eighties and early Nineties, I spoke publicly to
the effect that I was opposed to live hare coursing."
"What concerns me most about this Bill [Wildlife Amendment Bill 2010 which bans the Ward Union deerhunt] is the attack on rural life. In recent years we have seen the gradual erosion of the rights and entitlements of people living in rural areas...One cannot keep dogs. One cannot hunt... I do not hunt but there are many people who do." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.377.0 Deputy Durkan voted against the ban on staghunting
Damien English, TD (Fine Gael, Meath West):
"I shall take a few seconds to register my opposition to this Bill and my support for the Ward Union Hunt and hunts in general. I have spent all my life living beside the Meath Hunt and have watched it in operation. I watched how its members treat their dogs and run their business. I do not get a chance to follow or watch the Ward Union Hunt and its business but I know many of the people involved. They treat animals and operate in exactly the same way as the Meath Hunt. They have respect for animals and know what they are doing." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.377.0 Deputy English voted against the ban on staghunting
"Shane McEntee and Damien English promised unqualified support for the Ward Union and hunting in general from any incoming government led by Fine Gael." from the Hunting Association website, 2009.
Martin Ferris, TD (SF, Kerry North Limerick West):
"Some people are straightforwardly opposed to racing and coursing of greyhounds. It is not a position I or my party share..." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch on Youtube
"There is the legitimate argument that the State, the State acting on behalf of a section of the electorate or, in this case, one political party, ought not to have the right to ban activities just because someone else does not like them. There are many people who do not like this form of hunting, and they are entitled to their beliefs. However, they are not entitled to have it banned simply on that basis.
The only basis on which they would be entitled would be if it could be proved that the practise in question was either cruel, deliberately designed to kill the animal being pursued or that the animal in question was an endangered species. None of that applies as far as I can see in this instance.
There is also the argument, including on behalf of people who have no particular interest in or affection for stag hunting, that if this activity is banned the way will be open to ban other sports involving animals. That could include hare coursing, for example, and I have little doubt that if this Bill is successful that will be the next target." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 24 June 2010. Deputy Ferris voted AGAINST the bill.
"Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris yesterday said he did not consider hare coursing a blood sport...Mr Ferris said he was stating his position on hare coursing because there was confusion surrounding the motion passed at the last party ardfheis calling for a ban on all blood sports. He said he was supportive of 'traditional rural' pursuits such as hare coursing, and he did not consider it a blood sport as greyhounds were now muzzled." Irish Times, September 8, 2009. Note: Deputy Ferris maintains this view despite evidence provided to him by ICABS which shows that coursing is a blood sport that continues to cause horrific injuries and deaths to hares.
"Hunting, coursing, fishing and shooting... are big part of rural Ireland and a big part of what we are. They are very beneficial to the economy of rural Ireland." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.475.0 Deputy Ferris voted against the ban on staghunting.
Peter Fitzpatrick, TD (Fine Gael, Louth):
"The legislation is necessary to allow people to continue lawful activities. Throughout my constituency of Louth, there are strong and law-abiding gun clubs...Gun clubs in rural areas...have a strong bond with and are respectful of nature...[Shooting animals] is a traditional skilled activity that has been handed down for generations. It is important for my rural constituents to have their traditions respected and honoured." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, TD (Independent, Roscommon Leitrim South):
On 27th March 2013, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan supported an amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw fur farming.
"Roscommon/South Leitrim has massive potential to increase it share of tourism revenue from what is now an estimated €52 million/ per year...We have umpteen lakes suitable for fishing, shooting..." From the tourism section of Luke Flanagan's website - http://www.lukemingflanagan.ie/policies/tourism/
Terence Flanagan, TD (Fine Gael, Dublin North-East ):
"I support the Irish Council Against Blood Sports' call for the Ward Union hunt to be refused a licence," Deputy Flanagan stated in a letter to Minister John Gormley, October 2007. For more, see Terence Flanagan, TD joins calls for end to deer hunt
In October 2012, Terence Flanagan asked Minister Simon Coveney "if he will respond to the following query regarding the Animal Welfare Bill (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Read the reply
Sean Fleming, TD (Fianna Fail, Laoighis-Offaly):
"To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide the list of locations in respect ofthe number of licences he has issued under Section 42 of the Wildlife Act which provides for the shooting of wild deer outside the designated openseason and allows for night time shooting from the public road with the use of high powered lamps in view of the fact that the Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act 1851 prohibits discharge of a firearm from within 60 feet of a public road; if the shooting of wild deer in this situation is legal and even though it is highly dangerous to local communities it has the potential to promote the illegal taking of deer; the reason he continues to issue permits allowing for the culling of female deer while they still have dependant young, which results in the dependant calf/fawn suffering an horrendous death over a number of weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Dail question from Sean Fleming to Jimmy Deenihan, 26th October, 2011.
Eamon Gilmore, TD (Labour, Dun Laoghaire):
"I am opposed to the blood sports of badger baiting, cock fighting, dog fighting, hare coursing and stag hunting. Democratic Left strongly believes in protecting our wildlife and we are very concerned about the cruelty and impact on the various species of so-called blood sports."
Eamon Gilmore voted against the ban on staghunting. However, speaking on the Marian Finucane radio show on October 2nd 2010, Mr Gilmore stated that the party "won't reverse the decision" and that they "will stick with the ban on staghunting", if his party gets into government after the election.
In September 2007, Eamon Gilmore called for a "suspension on coursing activities in the event that the hare survey indicates either a significant national decline in hare numbers or widespread localised disappearance of the species" (See Dail Question) and also urged the then Environment Minister to "withhold the issuing of a licence in 2007 under the Wildlife Act 1976 permitting stag hunting" (See Dail Question)
Noel Grealish, TD (Independent, Galway West):
"I fully support your quest to ban live hare coursing." (September 2003)
"I will support your campaign [against terrier-work and digging out] and I will certainly write to Minister Brendan Smith." From a letter to ICABS, 18th May 2009.
Independent TD, Noel Grealish, voted in favour of the ban on stag hunting, June 2010.
On 27th March 2013, Noel Grealish supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
John Halligan, TD (Independent, Waterford)
"I can confirm that Mr Halligan would consider blood sports to be a form of animal cruelty and as such would be in favour of any proposal to have same banned." from the office of John Halligan TD, 14th March 2012
"Mr Halligan is completely and utterly against any form of animal cruelty" (From the office of John Halligan, TD, 14th February 2012)
"I believe that hunting animals for pleasure is wrong and would be opposed to any motion that would be taking a step backwards in this regard." (From email to ICABS Supporter, February 2011)
Dominic Hannigan, TD (Labour Party, Meath East):
A call for a voluntary ban on the shooting of curlews has come from Meath TD Dominic Hannigan. The Labour Deputy made the call as a month long hunting season for the globally threatened bird species opens on November 1st. "We have seen an almost catastrophic decline in the numbers of what was once one of Ireland’s most iconic birds. A recent survey by BirdWatch Ireland estimates the number of breeding pairs in the state may now be down to less than 200. Up to the 1970’s the native population of curlews was around 12,000 breeding pairs," said Hannigan. Deputy Hannigan said there was no single cause for of the decline of the curlew. "Numerous factors are involved including the loss of habitat due to an increase in forestry, commercial peat-cutting and windfarm developments. One thing is clear however we need to take measures to protect this native bird. One of those measures should be removing the curlew from the shooting list," Hannigan added. from Dominic Hannigan's Press Office, 14 November 2011
"In principle, we are in favour of the legislation, in that it regulates the operation of Puppy Farms – Ireland is seen as the puppy farm of Europe. But it appears that Minister Gormley is using the opportunity of the new legislation to include regulation of hunting dogs and greyhounds within the remit of the act. This has made the legislation contentious...The Minister was like a chased hare at a coursing event. He was getting attacked and questioned from all sides on this." from Dominic Hannigan's blog, February 28, 2010
We listened to the views of speakers from the Ward Union Hunt, a vet, a representative from fishermen and a representative from a Gun Club, amongst others. The key issue coming out of the meeting was the worry of many that these two pieces of legislation were just the thin edge of the wedge, and that further legislation would come in later, to ban things such as shooting, fishing and even sports such as horse-racing. I spoke in relation to this. I explained that there is no appetite amongst any politician on our side of the house to ban fishing, or ban shooting. from Dominic Hannigan's blog, October 17, 2010
Simon Harris, TD (Fine Gael, Wicklow):
Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris, has stated that he is looking forward to the introduction of the new animal welfare bill. Deputy Harris stated ‘I have spoken directly to Minister Coveney regarding several issues around animal welfare in County Wicklow. Minister Coveney has stressed that the new bill will provide for a clearer level of expectation of care for animals as well as trying to deal with some of the issues around how companies interacting with animals must act. ‘I am confident that the changes that will emerge when this bill is introduced will provide greater clarity around animal health and welfare. ‘The Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 is currently at Committee stage and the updating of this Bill is a significant positive improvement on the existing bill and should bring necessary changes for the improvement of the health and welfare of animals,’ concluded Deputy Harris. SimonHarris.ie, November 26 2012
Brian Hayes, TD (Fine Gael, Dublin South West):
"Fine Gael has committed to reversing the ban on stag hunting. As a Party, we are not opposed to countryside sports..." (From an email to an ICABS supporter, February 2011)
Tom Hayes, TD (Fine Gael, Tipperary South):
At the Knockgraffon coursing meet in November 2012, the owner of a winning greyhound was listed as The Coalition Syndicate. According to the Clonmel and Kilsheelan coursing club website, one of the members of this syndicate is Tipperary South Fine Gael TD, Tom Hayes.
"Local Fine Gael T.D. Tom Hayes has confirmed that 1 million Euro has been secured for the redevelopment of Clonmel Greyhound Stadium following discussions with Bord na gCon. Speaking on today’s announcement the South Tipperary Deputy said, 'This news is the culmination of months of work and I am delighted to see such a commitment being made by the IGB to Clonmel Greyhound Stadium...Given that the construction plans are already prepared I expect to see the entire project completed in time for the 2013 coursing season.'" from the Tom Hayes website, February 14th, 2012.
"At a recent meet of the Kilmoganny Hounds, members were canvassed for their support by successful Fine Gael candidates Tom Hayes (Tipperary South) and John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny)". From the Hunting Association of Ireland website. An accompanying photo shows "Tom Hayes and John Paul Phelan at a recent meet of the Kilmoganny Hounds" next to horses and hounds. (2011)
"I attended six coursing meetings in the past few months and I did not see one hare killed. I love what is good in rural Ireland, whether it is coursing, hunting hares, beagling or whatever, and I believe there is a strong agenda to stop those sports...I represent a constituency that is proud of its heritage in the coursing and animal welfare world." (March 2005)
"A growing number of people have an agenda to try to get sports such as coursing banned...I come from an area of the country that has a very strong tradition of coursing. Given the way those coursing meetings are guarded and protected, I would challenge any of those people opposed to those sports to come and see at first hand exactly how they are run. Too much is being written and said about those sports which are major tourism attractions, particularly hunting and fishing...Some people have an agenda to suggest to the public that those sports are cruel. The people involved in those sports are committed to animal welfare and protecting all the animals involved...I challenge them, and particularly those Members of this House, to come with me to the coursing in Clonmel and Cashel, and to the fishing in Golden. They could come to any place in my constituency and see how the people in that area look after those animals and look after their sports." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, 20 September 2012.
"The Fine Gael opposes the "anti puppy farming" Bill because John Gormley has broken his promises and turned it into an ‘anti hunt kennel’ Bill. It threatens the demise of the sport and industry of greyhound coursing and racing...They propose to ban the Ward Union Staghounds in counties Meath and Dublin. Fine Gael has opposed this ban because it is the thin end of the wedge of banning other rural sports like fox hunting, harriers, coursing, gun clubs and even angling." from Rural Ireland struggles as Fianna Fail bows to the Greens, Tom Hayes TD website, 16th April, 2010.
High-profile supporters of [coursing] in Ireland include footballer-turned-movie star Vinnie Jones, forner Irish soccer international Niall Quinn and a number of politicians, including Fine Gael TD Tom Hayes, who had a dog racing at Clonmel which he shares with former TD Liam Burke. from Hare today, gone tomorrow? Irish Independent, 7th February 2004
"A coaltion of [hunting, shooting and coursing groups] have praised Mattie McGrath as well as Tom Hayes, Michael Lowry and Noel Coonan for their opposition to John Gormley's bill [which banned stag hunting in Ireland]." That Nationalist, 5th July 2010
"The greyhound and coursing industries have been getting bad press due to a lack of knowledge." Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006: Second Stage, 8 June 2006
Seamus Healy, TD (Workers and Unemployed Action Group, Tipperary South):
"I ask the Minister to confirm that the Bill will not adversely affect any properly organised or regulated greyhound and coursing industries. That is an important consideration." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Thursday, 20 September 2012.
Cllr. Seamus Healy said at this week's County Council meeting the fact that coursing was being discussed in the Programme for Government talks put the coursing industry in jeopardy. The national coursing meeting was very important for Clonmel, bringing in millions of Euro to the local economy during the festival week. "It is an industry that has created employment and is very important to Clonmel and South Tipperary," he told the meeting. Cllr. Healy proposed that the Council write to the Taoiseach and Fianna Fail Oireachtas members on the issue. The Nationalist, 7 October 2009. http://www.nationalist.ie/news/local/green-party-ban-on-coursing-would-cost-clonmel-16m-1-2245983
"This is a small but important industry, particularly in the area from where I come in south Tipperary in which the Clonmel track is located and which hosts the national coursing festival each year. The greyhound and coursing industries are important and give much employment and support to other industries and business in the town of Clonmel and much enjoyment and sport to the many people involved at all levels." Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006
"Cllr Seamus Healy said he had no brief for stag hunting and did not support it." Tipperary Star, 15 June 2010
Joe Higgins, TD (Socialist Party, Dublin West):
"I am opposed to the hunting of foxes by hounds as indeed I am opposed to live hare coursing."
"To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will refuse further licences for hare coursing in line with the precautionary principle advocated in the recent report from the Irish hare initiative." Dail Question, 24 May 2005.
"The idea that taking a domesticated animal from its enclosure, turning it loose in unfamiliar countryside and then subjecting it to the terrifying ordeal of being chased by dozens of baying hounds represents "rural life" is totally false. Equally so to argue that there is something noble or natural here, resonating from more primeval times when our ancestors wrestled with nature for survival. In fact, the contrived struggle here is most unnatural. The stag's antlers are sawn off, thus depriving it of its main mechanism of defence against attack. This is to tilt the contest in favour of the chasing hounds and the human handlers who otherwise might be hurt as the animal naturally resists being bitten and resists the attempts of its tormentors to capture it for another outing in the future...Any society which claims to have some compassion will not tolerate unnecessary cruelty to animals and such an approach is not negated by the fact that we are largely a meat eating population. I believe most people will welcome the end of carted stag hunting." July 15th, 2010 - Joe Higgins' website
"I agree also with the Irish Council Against Bloodsports that the otter hunting ban must be further copperfastened by an extension of the legislation and of protection. They have pointed out how mink hunting can be used as a cover for otter hunting and even if it were not, that it can significantly disturb the habitat of the otter. This is a very strong case for further measures to be taken by the Minister in this regard; the same could apply to hare coursing. I remember as a child the awful spectacle of live hare coursing, the trauma and suffering of these creatures as they were torn asunder literally and I can still hear those awful squeals. That the dogs are now muzzled is only a slight amelioration of the terror imposed on these wild creatures. I do not see why it should be maintained." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, 1999: Second Stage, 25 May 2000.
On 27th March 2013, Joe Higgins supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Phil Hogan, TD (Fine Gael, Carlow Kilkenny):
Fine Gael environment spokesman Phil Hogan wrote to hunting associations in recent days, setting out the party's commitment to "oppose any change to existing licensing arrangements for stag hunting". The letter said that the party would "reverse any changes made by the present government in that regard" if it assumed government after the next general election. (From the Sunday Business Post, February 21, 2010)
"The Fine Gael Party is opposing every section of this legislation, including section 1 which sets out the definitions of the two Acts referred to in the Bill. We do not even agree that it should be entitled the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.475.0 Deputy Hogan voted against the Bill which banned staghunting.
"Fine Gael believes the hunt plays an important cultural and economic role in rural Ireland..."
Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 24 June 2010
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20100624.xml&Ex=All&Page=9
In January 2012, ICABS expressed disgust to Environment Minister Phil Hogan after he was photographed presenting a trophy at a hare coursing meeting. The Minister posed with the cup for a winning greyhound which had earlier bashed into a hare and sent it tumbling head over heels. More...
"Sevenhouses secretary Pat Loughlin said the coursing club had a long-standing relationship with Mr [Phil] Hogan. 'We'd net hares on the Hogan family farm. He caught hares with us when he was young,' he said." Irish Independent, April 06 2012
"I am aware that the Minister has since then had several meetings with members of the Irish Coursing Club and Irish greyhound industry. I am sure he is now more familiar with the activities of people involved in breeding and offering pups for sale. Animal welfare issues are important to these people." Deputy Phil Hogan, Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009, 8 July 2010.
Paul Kehoe, TD (Fine Gael, Wexford)
Paul Kehoe voted AGAINST the staghunt ban in June 2010.
"The Government Chief Whip, Minister Paul Kehoe T.D., today announced the Legislative Programme for the Spring Parliamentary session of 2012...Progress will also continue to be made in a number of other areas with the introduction of...new animal welfare laws" Paul Kehoe statement, January 11, 2012
"Taoiseach Brian Cowen reminded every TD of their responsibility. Mr McGrath and Mr O'Sullivan still abstained. A peace process began with the rebels. Their abstention provoked Fine Gael's whip Paul Kehoe to up the ante. He withdrew an agreement to keep two of his TDs back to cancel out two sick men - Sean Ardagh and Noel Treacy..." Irish Examiner Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Enda Kenny, TD (Fine Gael, Mayo):
"I am opposed to the practice of live hare coursing." (from an email to ICABS, July 2003)
Enda Kenny is leader of Fine Gael. In the party's 2011 election manifesto, it is stated that "Fine Gael will reverse the ban on stag hunting." Read More
Fine Gael dismissed a suggestion by Meath TD, Shane McEntee, that the Ward Union stag hunt would be back. A spokesperson for Enda Kenny made it clear that "there is no such commitment in the Programme for Government" and that the Taoiseach "would not resile from what's in the Programme for Government." ICABS website, 15 November 2011
A statement issued last week by shooting organisation, NARGC, claims that "Enda Kenny gave a solemn commitment to all the hunting associations, when he met them on April 20th 2005 in the offices of the Irish Coursing Club in Clonmel, that Fine Gael would not in government agree to the introduction of restrictions or bans on hunting." In a letter to the Fine Gael leader, ICABS queried the claim and stated that if it was accurate, it was extremely disappointing to those campaigning against animal cruelty all across Ireland. We also conveyed our sadness at the claim that a meeting took place at the offices of the Irish Coursing Club. We reminded Mr Kenny that he confirmed to us in July 2003 that he is "opposed to the practice of live hare coursing". from ICABS website, March 2007.
Michael P. Kitt, TD (Fianna Fail, Galway East):
"Fishing and hunting is an important industry in the autumn which is often a quiet season in many towns and villages in rural Ireland. Nonetheless, there must be greater control on commercial shoot operators. Every year we hear of people who come into the country and shoot anything that flies. Songbirds can be game as far as they are concerned. People with camper vans come into the country, shoot willy nilly and bring quantities of fish stored in freezers back to the countries from which they came. Obviously they are not doing that without assistance from agents and middlemen. The Minister referred to this important issue. There should be regulations to control these operators, be they involved in shooting or fishing." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, 1999: Second Stage (Resumed), 25 May 2000.
Sean Kyne, TD (Fine Gael, Galway West):
In March 2012, Deputy Kyne asked the Agriculture Minister "if the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill will contain a provision to abolish live hare coursing in view of the demonstrable evidence of the harm, injury and distress that such a sport causes to the wildlife concerned and also in recognition that such a measure would bring Ireland into line with other developed nations including the UK, several other European nations and Australia."
"To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the bounty scheme for mink is in operation or if the details are yet to be finalised as we approach the critical Spring period for wildlife and the lambing season which are affected by mink." Dail question, 14 February 2012.
Anthony Lawlor, TD (Fine Gael, Kildare North):
"Horse meat is a valuable export, in particular to continental Europe. The French market for Irish slaughtered horses is considerable...The horses to which I refer are not bred for slaughter but for the racetrack. One should consider the statistics involved: of the 7,000 thoroughbred foals born this year, only seven will win a group 1 race. Only 3,500 will make it to a racetrack, which means 3,500 thoroughbred foals will end up being slaughtered before they reach their potential. The sad part for the sector is that breeders have potential to earn much more if the stamp “Not fit for human consumption” were to be removed from the passport. Horse meat could be a valuable export for this country...I would like to see an opportunity for us to export horsemeat for human consumption on the Continent." Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011, 29 September 2011.
Michael Lowry, TD (Independent, Tipperary North):
"A number of TDs, including Jackie Healy Rae and Michael Lowry, had earlier voiced concern that the Greens' ban on stag hunting and their dog breeding bill indicated a lack of empathy with country pursuits." (Sunday Business Post, 04 April 2010)
"After today's discussion with John Curran Government Chief Whip, I confirmed that I am not in a position to support this Stag Hunting Bill which threatens the future of hunting and coursing in Ireland. In advance of my discussions with the Chief Whip, I consulted with my Independent colleague Jackie Healy Rae T.D. who is equally concerned with the implications of this legislation for rural Ireland. Jackie Healy Rae is taking the same stand as myself on these two Bills. It is my firm intention to vote against the Bill and I will not be deflected from that decision...I represent North Tipperary, a land famous for its long tradition of hunting, coursing, greyhound racing." Statement from Michael Lowry TD, June 2010
Independent TD, Michael Lowry, voted AGAINST the staghunt ban in June 2010.
Ciaran Lynch, TD (Labour Party, Cork South Central):
"Everyone is looking for legislation to be introduced in this House to deal with the scandalous practices that have existed in Irish puppy farming for a significant period of time. Like other political parties, the Labour Party believes measures to deal with this scandal are long overdue...The Labour Party recognises that hunt clubs are not commercial dog-breeding establishments and that groups affiliated to the Hunting Association of Ireland, HAI, should be seen in that context and not be defined in the Bill as subject to the same definitions and regulatory regimes as puppy farms...the Labour Party seeks to avoid a regulatory regime that could be exploited by opponents of legitimate dog hunting clubs...I am not a coursing person, but Deputy Sherlock has informed me that the hare has been truly and surely "turned" on this matter and that there has been a climbdown on the issue." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage, 2nd July 2010.
Kathleen Lynch, TD (Labour Party, Cork North Central):
Kathleen Lynch, TD was due to take part [in a Late Late Show debate on hunting] as a main speaker on the panel, opposing a hunting representative. from Hunters run scared of Late Late Show, ICABS website, 10 January 2008.
Kathleen Lynch voted in favour of the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004. The bill was defeated by 67 votes to 50.
Padraig MacLochlainn, TD (Sinn Fein, Donegal North East):
"Councillor Padraig MacLochlainn said dog owners 'have a responsibility' to ensure their dog is kept under control. He said: 'It gets a laugh when it is raised but its very, very serious matter. There are children playing around that Green and there's a real risk of toxoplasmosis, which leads to the loss of sight - it's a serious health risk...Dog owners have a responsibility, nobody is allowed to have a dog out without a leash, it is a very, very serious matter.'" Dogs fall foul of local councillors, The Inish Times, 2007
"Colr MacLochlainn added: 'The law states clearly that dogs should be tied up and locked up, not roaming the streets. I am a dog lover myself, but it is the responsibility of the dog owners to look after their dogs - and make sure this does not happen again. They have a responsibilty to young children.'" Calling time on stray dogs, Derry Journal, 31 August 2007
Eamonn Maloney, TD (Labour Party, Dublin South West):
Cllr Eamonn Maloney said: "The relevant minister should have no difficulty in banning activity such as circuses with wild animals." from Cruel circuses that use wild animals are banned, Evening Herald, 14th January 2009.
Micheal Martin, TD (Fianna Fail, Cork South Central ):
Speaking on RTE's Questions and Answers on 20th September 2004, Micheal Martin, TD stated that he does not think foxhunting should be banned in Ireland. Responding to a question from presenter, John Bowman, Deputy Martin said: "Foxhunting has been a part of Irish rural life for quite a long time, since well before the foundation of the state. I'm not sure banning a sport like that is the way to deal with issues like this." His comments came just five days after members of Parliament in the UK voted overwhelmingly to make foxhunting illegal there.
Michael McCarthy, TD (Labour, Cork South West):
"To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a decision will issue on a deer hunting licence application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Dail Question, 6th October 2011.
Nicky McFadden, TD (Fine Gael, Longford/Westmeath):
In February 2010, Cllr McFadden was criticised by ICABS for expressing support for foxhunters. During a Senate debate on proposed Puppy Farm legislation, she stated: "I am familiar with the South Westmeath hunt. There is no question but they are the kindest people to those dogs." Please read more at Westmeath Senators criticised for defending hunters and coursers
"My father used to race greyhounds and they were always retired to homes and they are the best pets...Any proposal involving Bord na gCon engaging with the greyhound industry in China would have to give due consideration to animal welfare matters. Ireland attaches a high priority to animal welfare and, alongside our EU partners, is working to promote better animal welfare internationally so I welcome the Minister of State’s introduction of this legislation." Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30th June 2011.
Finian McGrath, TD (Independent, Dublin North Central):
"Finian McGrath saved the day for the stags of north Dublin and Meath this week by voting with the Government on the hunting ban." Irish Independent, July 3rd 2010.
"Finian McGrath and Maureen O'Sullivan have told the Herald that they are determined to see stag hunting ended. Both say that blood sports are entirely wrong and should be stamped out as soon as possible..."I would be totally against blood sports," [Finian] said. "I have major concern around the chasing of stags. There have been a couple of serious incidents. In one incident a stag was chased into a schoolyard. It was appalling, disgraceful." Evening Herald, June 29 2010.
"I support the plan to end doping and rigging of greyhound races. I demand standards in the industry to root out doping and sleaze. Although it is an important social and family event, the downside of it is coursing, on which we need a debate." During a Dail debate on the Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006, 8th June 2006.
"You have my total support in relation to blood sports. I am definitely opposed to them". November, 2003
On 27th March 2013, Finian McGrath supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Mattie McGrath, TD (Independent, Tipperary South):
"I am totally supportive of the practice of coursing...I have a gun licence to shoot fowl...Is it not better for a young boy or girl to be outside fishing or hunting than sitting at home every day in front of computer on Facebook, Google or whatever else? At least when they return to school after the summer, their teachers can ask them about flora, fauna and mother nature, about which I learned when I went coursing as a buachaill og with the men of the parish. Coursing was good, healthy exercise and all I had was the butt of a stick to hit a ditch." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
Mattie McGrath spoke in favour of hare coursing on the Pat Kenny Radio Show on October 1st 2009. You can listen to Deputy McGrath's defence of this cruel activity by downloading the show. Deputy McGrath voted against the ban on staghunting in June 2010.
"It has been noted that this stag hunt has been in existence since 1854 and reference has been made to its benefits. People who take part in rural pursuits and who get their children involved will care for animals more than any animal rights person or self-proclaimed animal rights people because they are close to nature...I know nothing about stag hunting because I do not live in that part of the country so I will not stray into it. However, I am disappointed in the way they have been vilified." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, Thursday, 24 June 2010
According to a comment left on a hunting website, Mattie McGrath "was at the national coursing meeting plying for votes this week [February 2011] on the strength of his stand against the hunting ban".
"Hopefully, the Minister will be able to find Eur 1 million or so for the track in Clonmel. It is very important. Coursing is a huge industry and is worth Eur 6 million or Eur 7 million to South Tipperary. The Clonmel event is known throughout Europe. I have been there many times. There is none of the savagery that is often spoken about." From a Dail debate on the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30 June 2011
John McGuinness TD (Fianna Fail, Carlow Kilkenny):
"The list of speakers [at a hunting fuction at Abbeyleix Manor Hotel on 3rd November 2012] was completed by John McGuinness TD, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee who expressed fulsome support for all field sports." From the Hunting Association website.
Joe McHugh TD (Fine Gael, Donegal North East):
"I was recently approached by a Border town game hunting club in my own constituency. The Department of Justice will not grant it a licence because it has members from both sides of the Border. Artificial barriers imposed by the current Government undermine everyday cross-border cooperation at community level. These are the challenges that must be addressed." Speech by Joe McHugh TD to Fine Gael National Conference, March, 2010
Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Fein, Cork East):
"Sinn Fein welcomes the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012. It makes perfect sense to extend the current hunting licence provisions in the Wildlife Act 2010 that allow a hunter in possession of a firearm certificate to shoot wild birds and hares during the open season." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012 Watch on Youtube
"I acknowledge the contribution made by the vast majority of those involved in greyhound racing and coursing to the sporting and cultural landscape in Ireland, and in rural Ireland in particular, and to the welfare of dogs." From a Dail debate on the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30 June 2011
Olivia Mitchell TD (Fine Gael, Dublin South):
"Many thanks for your email in relation to Irish field sports and hunting. Please find below a statement from Fine Gael's spokesperson on Agriculture, Michael Creed TD, which reflects my own views on the matter." from an email to an ICABS supporter, October 16, 2009. The statement Deputy Mitchell referred to outlined that "Fine Gael supports country sports which are carried out humanely", "Fine Gael will oppose any move by Government to deny groups who have conducted their activities as per their licences, the right to continue to pursue these activities in the future" and "Fine Gael acknowledge the contribution hunting and other rural pursuits make to the rural economy."
Michael Moynihan TD (Fianna Fail, Cork North West):
"Those involved in the industry and coursing clubs are genuine, decent and honourable people, providing employment and entertainment and maintaining animal welfare standards second to none...We must acknowledge the voluntary contributions people made in Bord na gCon and the Irish Coursing Club. Many of them have been attacked from certain quarters. It is up to those who acknowledge these people’s contribution to stand up for them and point out that their sports are completely legitimate." From a Dail debate on the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30 June 2011
Catherine Murphy, TD (Independent, Kildare North):
On 27th March 2013, Catherine Murphy supported an amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing.
Gerald Nash, TD (Labour Party, Louth):
Gerald Nash is a patron of Drogheda Animal Rescue Centre. His views on blood sports are currently unknown.
Denis Naughten, TD (Independent, Roscommon Leitrim South):
On 27th March 2013, Denis Naughten supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Dan Neville, TD (Fine Gael, Limerick):
"The Bill before the House goes far beyond the issue of puppy farms to impose additional costs and duplicate inspection structures on rural industries such as greyhound and hunting dog breeding. These are important activities in my constituency. Greyhound breeding has been popular in County Limerick for hundreds of years...Fox hunting is also popular in County Limerick. Several packs are based in the county, the most famous of which is the Black and Tans pack in Emly...The County Limerick Foxhounds pack is based two miles from where I live. As a child I was entertained when the horses and hounds walked up the road on which I grew up. We also helped to rear the pack's pups, which were farmed out to various families...We also have foxhunting, scarteens and many other packs. The Fine Gael Party proposed a number of amendments in the Seanad to exclude these vital industries and instead focus primarily on puppy farms." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, 2nd July 2010
In September 2009, Deputy Dan Neville "asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the points made by the campaign for the abolition of cruel sports with reference to an application by a club (details supplied) to his Department for a licence to net hares for another hare coursing season; his further views on whether the Irish hare is designated as an endangered species here; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Dail Eireann, Written Questions and Answers, 17th September 2009.
Derek Nolan, TD (Labour Party, Galway West):
In June 2012, Derek Nolan TD asked the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, "if the exemptions on fishing, hunting and hare coursing underlined in section 12(12) of the Animal Welfare Bill will be retained"
Patrick Nulty, TD (Labour Party, Dublin West):
"I agree with the ban [on hare coursing] proposed." January 18, 2012 Read More
On October 18th 2012, Deputy Nulty joined protesters at an anti-bloodsports demonstration outside Dail Eireann - See Photo.
"Hare coursing is deliberately cruel and unnecessary. As Deputy O'Sullivan has outlined, issues of employment can be addressed in other ways through drag coursing. It sticks out like a sore thumb in this Bill that the opportunity to ban coursing is not being seized. I wonder why it is not being seized. I find it very ironic that in our vote on the previous amendment, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin all stood shoulder to shoulder. Not since before 1918 have the nationalist parties stood together so much to oppose progressive measures towards achieving animal rights. This is an opportunity for the Minister to redeem himself. I acknowledge the positive elements of this Bill but this is a huge anomaly and a huge failure of us seizing political responsibility for the environment in which we all live on this island and to ban hare coursing. It is a totally barbaric and unacceptable practice. It is totally unnecessary and it certainly does not represent the future of Irish economic and rural development. I think we should ban it outright today." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage, 27 March 2013. Watch on Youtube
"Fur farming is on the decline, is unnecessary, deliberately cruel, wrong and profoundly unnecessary. There is no need or justification for it." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage, 27 March 2013. Watch on Youtube
On 27th March 2013, Patrick Nulty supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Caoimhghin O Caolain, TD (Sinn Fein, Cavan/Monaghan):
"I am totally opposed to live hare coursing."
Eamon O Cuiv, TD (Fianna Fail, Galway West):
"The Minister is right not to introduce a ban on hunting, fishing or coursing in the Bill. There are parts of the country where they form part of way of life and as long as it does not involve excessive cruelty, the Minister's approach in this regard is correct. I do not agree with anti-hunting lobby." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch on Youtube
In November 2012, ICABS welcomed a statement from Eamon O Cuiv TD that he does not agree with the digging out of animals or the use of terriers to attack animals that have gone to ground. The Galway West TD expressed his opposition to these cruel activities during the Committee Stage of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill on 8th November. Addressing Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, Deputy O Cuiv stated: "Will [the Minister] explain whether the use of canines for the hunting of any animal, digging out of any wild mammal gone to ground and the use of terriers to attack and extract the wild mammal above or below ground, is legally permissible? The Bill provides that unnecessary cruelty is not permitted. Is that issue covered in the Bill? I do not agree with that particular procedure but I do not have a problem with normal hunting. Nature can be quite cruel but that appears to be going too far. If the Bill is passed, will the digging out of foxes be legally permissible, given the other terms about cruelty to animals?"
"I will be outlining my views on this issue at the Committee as the debate proceeds but agree with the Minister that there should be no outright ban on hunting and coursing." from an email from Eamon O Cuiv to ICABS, 8th Novemeber 2012.
"I will certainly support the abolition of hare coursing...I do not favour hare coursing at all as I feel it is a cruel sport. You can rest assured of my stand on this matter." from a December 1992 letter to anti-coursing campaigner John Fitzgerald.
Why the change between 1992 and 2012? "Explanation is quite simple and that is that the lobby against hare coursing will not give up until they make us all into vegetarians." (from an email from Eamon O Cuiv to an ICABS supporter, September 2012)
Willie O'Dea, TD (FF, Limerick East ):
In 2009, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports warmly welcomed a statement from the office of the then Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea, in which we were told that the Minister "fully supports" our campaign. (Defence Minister "fully supports" ICABS campaign)
John O'Mahony, TD (Fine Gael, Mayo):
"Mayo Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony, has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Denihan TD, to provide funding for a bounty for the killing of wild mink to the National Association of Regional Game Councils. Deputy O’Mahony said he raised the issue of wild mink in Mayo with Minister Deenihan and he was delighted that the details of the bounty had been announced...Minister Deenihan has met with the National Regional Game Councils, who have been actively promoting mink control and the result of it is the bounty that has just been announced. The Minister has committed €20,000 towards the bounty scheme and it will be paid to hunters based on the number of mink killed." from a statement on John O'Mahony's website, January 17, 2012.
Joe O’Reilly, TD (Fine Gael, Cavan Monaghan):
"Also central to my childhood was sport, by which I mean people going out to shoot in November, people going coursing or various forms of outdoor sport with beagles. Regardless of whether one likes it, the Ward Union Hunt is an integral part of rural society and rural life. The deer is not at risk in the physical sense... I am in favour of the Ward Union Hunt and have no quibbles about that." Speaking as a Senator, Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 30 June 2010
"I live beside a hunt known as the Drumlin Hounds in Cootehill. I am familiar with members of the hunt and know the dogs are well fed, cared for in an exemplary fashion and kept in the best possible conditions. Those involved in the hunt have an affection for their animals, are outdoors people and love sport...Next Friday week, I will attend a hunt ball in the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon in the Minister of State's constituency. I do so every year as the ball is an opportunity to meet a wonderful group of people from the Roscommon hunt who have a passion for what they do and love and care for their animals." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 10 February 2010.
Aengus O Snodaigh, TD (Sinn Fein, Dublin South Central):
On 24th March 2009, Aengus O Snodaigh, TD asked the Minister for Agriculture "if in the context of his responsibility for animal welfare and the legal protection of animals from cruelty, he will introduce legislation banning all blood sports including hare coursing and fox hunting". On 10th March, 2009, he asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government "if he will introduce legislation banning all blood sports including hare coursing and fox hunting".
Jan O'Sullivan, TD (Labour, Limerick City):
"I do not support blood sports."
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD (Independent, Dublin Central):
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is honoured to have Maureen O'Sullivan as our President. Maureen is an invaluable ally to ICABS in Dail Eireann, tabling Dail questions and making representations on an ongoing basis.
"Nobody will tell me that coursing is the sort of activity where there is no cruelty... I do not think it is doing our international reputation any good to be one of three countries that continue with live coursing...This was a golden opportunity to get rid of hare coursing which I think is very obvious the majority of people in this country totally oppose." Animal Health and Welfare Bill debate in Dail Eireann, March 27th, 2013. Watch on Youtube
"Let me refer to coursing. I could read out a catalogue of instances of coursing cruelty but I will refer to just a few pertaining to various coursing meetings. Over two days of coursing at one event, 16 hares were hit by dogs. Nine were pinned and seven died of their injuries. At another meeting, six hares were hit by muzzled dogs, six were injured and two were killed. Over another two days, ten hares were hit, two were killed, two were injured and two died overnight. At another meeting, 12 hares were hit by muzzled dogs, one was killed, four were injured and one was put down because of injuries...We know what occurs before coursing meetings. The club members go out collecting hares. Sometimes they do so outside the bounds of their licence. Netting involves supporters yelling and shouting to herd hares into a net and then into an enclosure. This, again, is cruel to hares because they are solitary creatures. The wild hare is released into the field where we know what happens. Blooding with hares, rabbits and kittens is practised by people who own greyhounds. While debating legislation before the recess, I discovered that hares can also be shot. I do not know what the poor hare ever did to Irish society to be subjected to such cruel treatment...Let me refer to fur farming. I have seen evidence of the manner in which animals are kept, breaching all animal welfare laws, even those we had before now. The practice is similar to the medieval torture chamber represented by the badger traps. A review group submitted a report some months ago but this is not being addressed in the Bill. I hope separate legislation is being planned as a consequence...
"I accept that we are not fully free of bovine TB and that control measures are necessary but such measures could be carried out in a humane way, not through the most barbaric, gruesome and inhumane practice of catching badgers in a snare. I have seen the snares; they belong to a medieval torture chamber and are not part of a modern, civilised society. The trapping is cruel and when the badger is caught, it is a sitting target for the hunter to shoot it. A consequence is that the young badgers are left to starve. There are no badgers in the Isle of Man, yet there is bovine TB there. Farmers who are against badger snaring say other measures could be used to combat TB, including strict movement controls, thorough cleansing of livestock buildings, good ventilation and double fencing on all boundaries. There were some measures of note taken in England. Movement controls, improved cattle testing and biosecurity saw a 15% reduction in bovine TB. There are similar improvements in other countries where there is no badger killing...If one culls intensively for four years, there is a net TB reduction of 12% to 16%. Therefore, 85% of the problem remains. I hope that the legislation could lead to a vaccination strategy instead of using the very cruel and barbaric practice of badger snaring. The Irish Wildlife Trust stated in a letter to The Irish Times this week that since culling began in Ireland many years ago, 90,000 badgers have been killed. However, 80,000 of the badgers were healthy. In Northern Ireland, badgers are tested in the field so that only those infected with TB are killed..." from Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed), Dail Eireann, 20 September 2012. Watch on Youtube
"I do not know what the hare has ever done to Irish society to justify the treatment meted out to it, first, as a result of many years of coursing and now by virtue of the fact that people will be able to shoot it. The Minister referred to open season which, for hares, will be five months long. However, open season for hares lasts all 12 months of the year...Let us consider what the supposedly humane practice of muzzling has done for the hare. About one month before each meeting club members go out into the countryside to collect hares in a process known as "netting". This involves a gang of supporters shouting and yelling to herd hares into nets which have been strategically placed. The hares are then put into boxes for transport to the coursing venue. These are another two instances of cruelty, but the Bill does not go into much detail on this aspect...During the training weeks hares are kept herded together in a enclosure. This adds considerably to the stress suffered by the hares which are solitary creatures and keep to themselves in the wild. They do not live together in groups. In captivity, therefore, they are very prone to disease which can spread more easily when they are kept together in an enclosure." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube
"I wish to focus on the hunt aspect and the proposal to prohibit stag hunting with hounds in Ireland, which will apply to the Ward Union Hunt. I believe this is a humane and an enlightened initiative that is long overdue.
Do we have some romantic view of the hunt in terms of the red jackets, the men and women on horseback and, I understand these days, on quads and jeeps, with the horns blowing, the dogs baying and the so-called thrill of the chase? The words I use are animal cruelty. There are incidents of deer becoming entangled in barbed wire, drowned and chocked to death. Do we really want to see images of hunted deer covered in blood, wounded, bitten and bruised, with steaming tongues hanging out as they drop to the ground exhausted? The hunt is causing unnecessary suffering to these animals. It is a gruelling experience that can last up to and even longer than three hours.
I cite, as the late Deputy Tony Gregory did in the Dail debate of October 2007, the veterinary documents which show the injuries and fatalities. They include fractured ribs, ruptured aortic aneurysms, a deer collapsing and dying after desperately trying to escape over an 8 ft high wall. There is considerable photographic and video evidence of the cruelty, and reports in newspapers of numerous incidents of cruelty. Is it sport to terrify an animal so unnecessarily and for what?
The Ward Union Hunt states that it has implemented a wide range of health and safety measures in recent years. That is equivalent to telling a prisoner that after being tortured a doctor will be on hand to bandage the wounds. What health and safety measures can be brought in that will alleviate deliberate suffering and torture of an animal? That is a total contradiction." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 24 June 2010. Deputy O'Sullivan voted in favour of the bill.
"Maureen O'Sullivan, TD said one of the major regrets of the late Tony Gregory was that more hadn't been done for animal rights in his lifetime. She had always shared his views on animal rights, she said, and hoped to continue his work against coursing. 'It is absolutely vicious, I couldn't look at the video footage of coursing, how people call that a sport, I do not know,' Ms O'Sullivan said." (From a report in the Irish Times, August 14, 2009)
"Finian McGrath and Maureen O'Sullivan have told the Herald that they are determined to see stag hunting ended. Both say that blood sports are entirely wrong and should be stamped out as soon as possible..."To me it's animal cruelty. To see deer caught in barbed wire, bruised, bleeding, hurt," she told the Herald. "I don't consider it sport to terrify animals, the hounds baying. In some cases they are going after domesticated deer. They are often killed through exhaustion. It's ludicrous." Evening Herald, June 29 2010.
On 27th March 2013, Maureen O'Sullivan presented/supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
"This was a golden opportunity to get rid of hare coursing. It is very obvious that the majority of people in this country totally oppose it. I know that Deputies are annoyed by the volume of emails they receive on this matter, but this shows the extent of the support for putting a ban on coursing...Damage is being done to greyhounds, who are gentle animals. They are being deliberately blooded and trained to do something that is against their nature. We know also of the damage to hares in the way they are netted, housed and used. There is also an increasing use of rabbits [for blooding greyhounds]." Animal Health and Welfare Bill debate in Dail Eireann, March 27th, 2013. Watch on Youtube
Willie Penrose, TD (Labour, Longford -Westmeath):
"Longford-Westmeath TD Willie Penrose also said he would not support a ban [on the Ward Union deerhunt]. 'I support rural Ireland. I don't support the Wildlife Bill. I certainly would not support the bill. I'm a rural person with rural views,' he said." (Irish Times, April 29, 2010)
"I speak as a Deputy who is deeply in touch with rural issues and a rural way of life and I strongly oppose the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010, as proposed by the Minister, Deputy Gormley...The Bill before the House is historic in at least one respect, in that, to the best of my knowledge, it is the first occasion since the foundation of the State that a Government has brought a specific Bill before this House to outlaw a country sport...As young people we hunted rabbits in order to secure food or sell it at two shillings unskinned or half a crown skinned...We hunted foxes...One got half a crown for a fox's tail when one brought it in." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.377.0 Deputy Penrose voted against the ban on staghunting
"[Minister Gormley] reserved his full contempt for Labour. "I find you absolutely shameful." It was difficult to disagree with him. The principled men and women of the Labour Party, who love to take a stand and cleave to it, blithely voting against a long-expressed opposition to animal cruelty and blood sports. No amount of shouting from Willie Penrose from Westmeath could change that, although he got a noisy round of applause from the Ward Union [hunt] people in the public gallery." Irish Times - Wednesday, June 30, 2010
"I have heard from people representing him that the Minister wants to get rid of coursing proposals implemented by a previous Minister, which were excellent. The Green Party was not satisfied and wanted to get rid of them. We say “No” to this today." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed), 29 June 2010.
John Perry, TD (Fine Gael, Sligo Leitrim North):
In a statement delivered at a pro-hunt meeting in January 2008, John Perry, TD stated: "Outdoor leisure and recreational activities such as hunting, shooting and fishing are factors that are a fundamental and integral part of the rural lifestyle...I will maintain my pressure on this Government to have our rich rural heritage recognised, and indeed protected by legislation, rather than being threatened by it." Responding to a complaint from ICABS, Deputy Perry said that he continues to "feel strongly about animal welfare and conservation of our wildlife". "I note your comments and will keep them in mind for the future," he added.
This pro-hunting TD voted against the staghunt ban in June 2010.
Ann Phelan, TD (Labour Party, Carlow Kilkenny):
"I ask the Minister to continue to review the legislation in the area of hare coursing. This morning, I discovered that hares are at an endangered level...If the practice is to the detriment of a particular species, it must be well regulated and continually monitored." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed), 20 September 2012.
John Paul Phelan, TD (Fine Gael, Carlow Kilkenny):
"At a recent meet of the Kilmoganny Hounds, members were canvassed for their support by successful Fine Gael candidates Tom Hayes (Tipperary South) and John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny)". From the Hunting Association of Ireland website. An accompanying photo shows "Tom Hayes and John Paul Phelan at a recent meet of the Kilmoganny Hounds" next to horses and hounds. (2011)
"I will not be supporting any ban on stag hunting." (2010)
Thomas Pringle, TD (Independent, Donegal South West):
"I think it is clear that I am not supporting these [anti-hunting and anti-coursing] amendments and it is only because of the situation in the Dail that the amendments have to be submitted in my name as the only independent on the select committee that will consider the legislation. I have no problem with field sports provided there is no unnecessary cruelty to animals during the sports and I know that most people involved are trying to preserve a rural way of life."
Thomas Pringle, 14th November, 2012. http://www.thomaspringle.ie/?p=1596
Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan: First, I acknowledge the work of Deputy Thomas Pringle in allowing the amendments to be tabled because he had difficulties with some of them. I am conscious that the amendments tabled by Deputy Clare Daly and I presented difficulties for him. Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage, 22 November 2012
Ruairí Quinn, TD (Labour, Dublin South East):
"I used to be a member of the Irish Council Against Blood Sports. Personally, I am against the hunting of live animals with dogs, i.e. fox hunting, live hare coursing and carted deer hunting."
Pat Rabbitte, TD (Labour, Dublin South West):
"I do not support bloodsports or hare coursing but I have no difficulty with age-old rural sports like fishing, shooting, etc within the terms prescribed by law."
Labour Party leader, Pat Rabbitte, has “sponsored” an “agreement” between two hunting organisations - the National Association of Regional Game Councils (gun clubs) and the Countryside Alliance (a UK-based hunting defence group, previously known as the British Fieldsports Society). The signing of this agreement took place in Leinster House and afterwards Mr. Rabbitte posed for photographs next to the hunting representatives. Mr. Rabbitte was quoted as stating that “it is inspiring that these two organisations are articulating a proactive vision for the future of Irish country life.” from Labour leader, Pat Rabbitte, backs hunting groups, ICABS Newsletter, June 2003
Pat Rabbitte sought licences for cruel glue traps: It has been brought to our attention that in March 2009, Labour Party TD, Pat Rabbitte, asked the Minster for the Environment if he would grant a licence to permit the use of glue traps. ICABS has expressed disappointment to Deputy Rabbitte, currently Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources. We told him that glue traps are considered one of the most cruel and inhumane traps and that they are illegal in Ireland. "Animals caught in glue traps have been known to bite off their own limbs in a bid to escape," we stated. "When their faces get stuck in the glue, they suffocate. Animals also die of starvation in these traps. Victims not only include rodents but also birds, frogs, squirrels and other small mammals." Animal Voice, August 2011
Dr James Reilly, TD (Fine Gael, Dublin North):
"Figures obtained by the Irish Independent show researchers in Trinity College spent more than 368,000 Euro on live animals in only 12 months to use in tests aimed at treating disease in humans. The figure is more than double what was spent the previous year. Dogs, pigs, rabbits, mice and rats have been used in the university's medical experiments, but there is pressure from the EU to find other ways of conducting tests. The Trinity figures show the huge cost of "maintenance and welfare" during the same period, bringing the bill to 665,102 Euro. Between October 2011 and last September the university bought 15 pigs, 20,094 mice and 6,579 rats for use in its labs. The animals are tested as part of the exploration of treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and genetic disorders. The university said any research carried out on animals requires the prior licensing of the person and the project by the Minister for Health Dr James Reilly...the Irish Anti-Vivisection Society, which is campaigning for an end to the use of live animals, argues that animal experimentation 'allows the infliction of pain and suffering'."
James Reilly TD voted against the staghunt ban.
Michael Ring, TD (Fine Gael, Mayo):
"I am personally against hare coursing. I am totally opposed to cruelty to animals but particularly this kind of cruelty in relation to blood sports."
Alan Shatter, TD (Fine Gael, Dublin South):
"I am totally opposed to hunting wild animals with dogs." Deputy Shatter voted AGAINST the Wildlife Amendment Bill 2010 which banned staghunting.
Alan Shatter is a former President of the Irish Council against Blood Sports. See www.alanshatter.ie
In 2010, on RTE's 'The Week in Politics', Alan Shatter criticised the Green Party for bringing forward legislation to ban staghunting, stating that there are more important priorities.
"Would the Minister agree that many people regard hare coursing as an offensive, obscene and particularly primitive sporting activity? ... Could I urge him to consider introducing legislation to ban live hare coursing? I suggest that the Minister would agree that hare coursing is as primitive a sport as bull-fighting and cock-fighting, both of which are prohibited under our legislation." Dail Questions and Answers (Hare Coursing) - 8 June 1983.
Sean Sherlock, TD (Labour, Cork East):
"I am in favour of field sports and coursing and I have been at greyhound meetings. The people I represent are those who rear pups." Stated by Sean Sherlock during the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage, 8 July 2010.
"Cork East TD Sean Sherlock said he would reserve comment on stag hunting until the matter had been discussed internally. 'I believe there must be some sort of regulation but we must not regulate field sports out of existence.'" (Irish Times, April 29, 2010)
"Deputy Sean Sherlock: If [the Minister] were to support the amendment, that would give great solace to the Irish Greyhound Board, the Irish Coursing Club and to every single dog owner throughout the country who courses hares or races greyhounds in such places as Curraheen Park and Youghal." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage 8 July 2010.
Roisin Shortall, TD (Labour Party, Dublin North-West):
"To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the large scale destruction of farm and other property, often running to thousands of euro, by the unauthorised use of such lands for the purposes of live hunting." (From a Dail Question tabled in 2004)
On 27th March 2013, Roisin Shortall supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Brendan Smith, TD (Fianna Fail, Cavan Monaghan):
According to the Summer 2008 edition of the Hunting Association's newsletter, Minister Brendan Smith "officially opens Drumlin Hounds Equestrian Facility". The Drumlin Hounds is a Cavan hunt affiliated to the Irish Masters of Harriers Assocation. "The course, [was] built by Drumlin Equestrian with the aid of a grant from the Government Sports Capital Scheme...Minister Smith commended the group on their vision, perseverance and personal commitment in pursuing and completing this project." Minister Smith was photographed alongside members of the hunt.
Emmet Stagg, TD (Labour Party, Kildare North):
"Emmet Stagg has confirmed he is among a number of Labour TDs who do not support a ban on stag hunting...Mr Stagg, Labour whip and TD for Kildare North, said: 'I see nothing wrong with it [stag hunting] at all. I think it's well regulated. I'm a supporter of country sports in general,' he said." (Irish Times, April 29, 2010)
Emmet Stagg voted against the ban on staghunting.
Brian Stanley, TD (Sinn Fein, Laoighis Offaly):
On 21 March 2012, Brian Stanley, TD aked the Minister for Agriculture "if minks, cats and racing horses will be included in the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Read the full Dail Question and Answer.
Billy Timmins, TD (Fine Gael, Wicklow)
"As a Party, we are not opposed to countryside sports" (From an email to an ICABS supporter, February 2011). Billy Timmins voted AGAINST the staghunt ban in June 2010.
Deputy Billy Timmins is calling for a temporary suspension of the Open Hunting Season if temperatures remain exceptionally low. The freezing weather means many animals, such as deer herds, move to low ground where food is more commonly available. However, this also leaves them an easy target for hunters. Deputy Timmins has requested that Environment Minister, John Gormley, should introduce a temporary hunting suspension until the freezing weather conditions pass. 'It would be nice if gun club members, who are responsible country sports enthusiasts, would take the initiative and act in a professional and ethical way and introduce a voluntary suspension of shooting of any wildlife, whether that be deer, wild birds, waterfowl or game birds during this period of adverse weather. It could be in advance of a statutory ban.' from Call for temporary ban on all hunting, Wicklow People, 08 December 2010.
Robert Troy, TD (Fianna Fail, Longford Westmeath):
During a Dail debate in July 2012, Robert Troy said he wanted to see the ban on cruel stag hunting rescinded. "I thought the Government parties might have used the opportunity...to rescind the ban on stag hunting," he stated. Watch on Youtube See Also: Robert Troy wants stag hunt ban rescinded
Robert Troy has told ICABS that he supports hare coursing because some of his constituents are engaged in the activity.
In 2010, Cllr Troy attended a meeting in Mullingar organised by pro-blood sports group, RISE. Cllr Troy spoke in support of RISE. A RISE sticker was displayed on the door of his constituency office.
Joanna Tuffy, TD (Labour Party, Dublin Mid West):
"Studies carried out on the Ward Union Hunt found evidence of physiological recovery within three or four days and full recovery within ten days, and two months post hunt the hunted deer were found to be in good health." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages, 29 June 2010 - http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.475.0 In response, Minister Gormley stated: "I do not know what sort of information the Deputy has but one does not need to be a vet or any specialist to see that the animal in question is under severe stress. It is a domesticated animal. The vets to whom I have spoken have clearly stated that the animal is under severe stress." Deputy Tuffy voted against the ban on staghunting.
"The Labour Party opposes this legislation [ban on Ward Union deerhunt] because it is the wrong approach to maximising the protection of wildlife. It does nothing to protect wildlife but has a much more cynical motivation. It is an all-out unilateral ban on the Ward Union Hunt...People in rural communities feel under threat from this legislation and are concerned it is the thin end of the wedge."
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20100624.xml&Ex=All&Page=9
Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 24 June 2010
Jack Wall, TD (Labour Party, Kildare South):
"Kildare South TD Jack Wall said he was not in favour of the bill [to ban the Ward Union] and stag hunting provided employment." (Irish Times, April 29, 2010). Jack Wall voted against the Bill which banned staghunting.
Mick Wallace, TD (Independent, Wexford)
On 27th March 2013, Mick Wallace supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Did your TDs vote for or against the staghunt ban?
30 June 2010
Find out if your Dail representatives were among the majority who voted in favour of banning the Ward Union hunt.
Note: Fine Gael voted against the ban and say they will reverse the ban if they get into government.
Labour voted against the ban but afterwards said that they will keep it in place and will oppose any attempt to reverse it.
TDs who voted in favour of the staghunt ban: 75
Bertie Ahern (Fianna Fail)
Dermot Ahern (Fianna Fail)
Michael Ahern (Fianna Fail)
Noel Ahern (Fianna Fail)
Barry Andrews (Fianna Fail)
Chris Andrews (Fianna Fail)
Bobby Aylward (Fianna Fail)
Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail)
Aine Brady (Fianna Fail)
Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)
Johnny Brady (Fianna Fail)
John Browne (Fianna Fail)
Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
Dara Calleary (Fianna Fail)
Pat Carey (Fianna Fail)
Niall Collins (Fianna Fail)
Margaret Conlon (Fianna Fail)
Mary Coughlan (Fianna Fail)
Brian Cowen (Fianna Fail)
John Cregan (Fianna Fail)
Ciaran Cuffe (Green Party)
John Curran (Fianna Fail)
Noel Dempsey (Fianna Fail)
Jimmy Devins (Fianna Fail)
Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
Frank Fahey (Fianna Fail)
Michael Finneran (Fianna Fail)
Michael Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
Sean Fleming (Fianna Fail)
Beverley Flynn (Fianna Fail)
Paul Gogarty (Green Party)
John Gormley (Green Party)
Noel Grealish (Independent)
Mary Harney (Independent)
Sean Haughey (Fianna Fail)
Maire Hoctor (Fianna Fail)
Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fail)
Peter Kelly (Fianna Fail)
Brendan Kenneally (Fianna Fail)
Michael Kennedy (Fianna Fail)
Tony Killeen (Fianna Fail)
Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)
Tom Kitt (Fianna Fail)
Conor Lenihan (Fianna Fail)
Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
Jim McDaid (Fianna Fail)
Tom McEllistrim (Fianna Fail)
Finian McGrath (Independent)
Michael McGrath (Fianna Fail)
John McGuinness (Fianna Fail)
John Moloney (Fianna Fail)
Michael Moynihan (Fianna Fail)
Michael Mulcahy (Fianna Fail)
M J Nolan (Fianna Fail)
Eamon O Cuív (Fianna Fail)
Sean O Fearghaíl (Fianna Fail)
Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
Charlie O'Connor (Fianna Fail)
Willie O'Dea (Fianna Fail)
Noel O'Flynn (Fianna Fail)
Batt O'Keeffe (Fianna Fail)
Ned O'Keeffe (Fianna Fail)
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
Christy O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
Maureen O'Sullivan (Independent)
Peter Power (Fianna Fail)
Sean Power (Fianna Fail)
Dick Roche (Fianna Fail)
Eamon Ryan (Green Party)
Trevor Sargent (Green Party)
Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)
Brendan Smith (Fianna Fail)
Mary Wallace (Fianna Fail)
Mary White (Green Party)
Michael Woods (Fianna Fail)
TDs who voted against the staghunt ban: 71
James Bannon (Fine Gael)
Sean Barrett (Fine Gael)
Joe Behan (Independent)
Pat Breen (Fine Gael)
Richard Bruton (Fine Gael)
Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
Joan Burton (Labour Party)
Joe Carey (Fine Gael)
Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael)
Paul Connaughton (Fine Gael)
Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)
Joe Costello (Labour Party)
Simon Coveney (Fine Gael)
Seymour Crawford (Fine Gael)
Michael Creed (Fine Gael)
Lucinda Creighton (Fine Gael)
Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael)
Jimmy Deenihan (Fine Gael)
Andrew Doyle (Fine Gael)
Bernard Durkan (Fine Gael)
Damien English (Fine Gael)
Olwyn Enright (Fine Gael)
Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
Martin Ferris (Sinn Fein)
Charles Flanagan (Fine Gael)
Terence Flanagan (Fine Gael)
Eamon Gilmore (Labour Party)
Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Tom Hayes (Fine Gael)
Jackie Healy-Rae (Independent)
Phil Hogan (Fine Gael)
Brendan Howlin (Labour Party)
Paul Kehoe (Fine Gael)
Enda Kenny (Fine Gael)
Michael Lowry (Independent)
Ciaran Lynch (Labour Party)
Kathleen Lynch (Labour Party)
Padraic McCormack (Fine Gael)
Shane McEntee (Fine Gael)
Dinny McGinley (Fine Gael)
Joe McHugh (Fine Gael)
Liz McManus (Labour Party)
Denis Naughten (Fine Gael)
Dan Neville (Fine Gael)
Michael Noonan (Fine Gael)
Caoimhghín Ó Caolain (Sinn Fein)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Sinn Fein)
Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
Fergus O'Dowd (Fine Gael)
Jim O'Keeffe (Fine Gael)
John O'Mahony (Fine Gael)
Brian O'Shea (Labour Party)
Jan O'Sullivan (Labour Party)
Willie Penrose (Labour Party)
John Perry (Fine Gael)
Ruairi Quinn (Labour Party)
Pat Rabbitte (Labour Party)
James Reilly (Fine Gael)
Michael Ring (Fine Gael)
Alan Shatter (Fine Gael)
Tom Sheahan (Fine Gael)
P J Sheehan (Fine Gael)
Sean Sherlock (Labour Party)
Róisín Shortall (Labour Party)
Emmet Stagg (Labour Party)
David Stanton (Fine Gael)
Billy Timmins (Fine Gael)
Joanna Tuffy (Labour Party)
Mary Upton (Labour Party)
Leo Varadkar (Fine Gael)
Jack Wall (Labour Party)
Tellers:
Ta (Yes), Deputies John Curran and John Cregan;
Níl (No), Deputies Paul Kehoe and Emmet Stagg
Absent: Tommy Broughan (Labour Party)
Absent: Arthur Morgan (Sinn Fein)
Absent on Medical Grounds: Michael D. Higgins (Labour Party)
Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed), Committee and Remaining Stages
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Watch the debate
(Forward to the 02:55:30 mark for beginning of debate)
Read a full transcript of the debate at http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.377.0
and www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.475.0
(Including list of TDs who voted for and against)
You may also watch the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 June 2010) and read the full transcript of the debate.
Watch the debate
(Forward to the 03:54:00 mark for beginning of debate)
Read a full transcript of the debate
Senator Ivana Bacik (Labour Party, Dun Laoghaire):
"I am asking you to refuse a licence to the Ward Union deer hunt," Senator Bacik stated in a letter to Environment Minister, John Gormley. "The Irish Council Against Blood Sports are mounting a campaign against this, which I support." (October 2007)
ICABS has thanked Senator Ivana Bacik for refusing to vote against a ban on the Ward Union. The Irish Times has reported that the Labour Party senator abstained in a Seanad vote on the Wildlife Amendment Bill. 01 July 2010. Read More
Senator Paul Bradford (Fine Gael):
"The Minister [Michael Finneran, Fianna Fail] does not propose to change his mind and does not respect or accept the bona fides of the Irish Coursing Club or greyhound industry." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 9 March 2010
"It is a given that rural organisations, including hunt and coursing clubs, cannot survive if they do not meet the highest standards of animal husbandry, hygiene and animal feeding propriety. They would not exist if they did not look after these matters with near perfection...If we see such traditions not just as historical but as important for the Ireland of today, we should help them to survive into the future. We should ensure hunting and coursing clubs and other rural organisations such as point-to-point associations remain part of the fabric of rural Ireland." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 10 February 2010
Senator Terry Brennan (Labour Party):
"I welcome the Bill and wish the Minister well in its completion in the not too distant future. The hunting groups and gun clubs will welcome it also. I look forward to its introduction in the near future." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012, 4th July 2012
Senator Paddy Burke (Fine Gael):
"I have no doubt that the ban on coursing in England will be lifted" (Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 9 March 2010)
Senator Paddy Burke: "It is obvious that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government did not engage in discussions with the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation, the coursing clubs and the other organisations represented here. A commonsense approach must now be taken and the Minister must meet those groups so that agreement can be reached." Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 11th May 2010.
Senator Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail):
"I am shocked that I do not see any evidence of the Government’s promise made by Deputy Shane McEntee and Deputy Phil Hogan to repeal the ban on stag hunting. Will an amendment be tabled on Committee Stage? Fine Gael rose up the people in the RISE organisation by giving specific promises and a specific commitment that stag hunting in County Meath would be reinstated. We find now that this was just what I must say were barefaced lies told to the people by Fine Gael... I expected to see a provision for the reinstatement of stag hunting but there is nothing in the Bill to do with stag hunting. Those promises are just thrown on the bonfire of power. The Ministers, Deputies Hogan and McEntee conveniently and completely discarded the promises they had made to the people. " Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012, 4th July 2012. Watch on Youtube
Senator Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael):
"The Minister of State is a reasonable man and he will accept how well regulated is the coursing industry." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 9 March 2010
Senator Paul Coghlan raised the hackles of one of the Green's new twin babies in the Seanad on Thursday when he declared that Fine Gael is "completely opposed" to John Gormley's proposed ban on stag hunting. "It is a legitimate and worthwhile country pursuit and a sport that is highly beneficial for tourism. I cannot discern where cruelty is involved," he said, much to the disgust of Senator Niall O Brolchain. (The Irish Times - February 27, 2010)
Senator Marie Moloney (Labour Party):
"While I am not a hunting person, nor do I claim to be, there are many who are and who were worried about the validity of their hunting licences. At least they can continue to hunt." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012, 4th July 2012
Senator David Norris (Independent):
"The spectacle of fox hunting is most attractive, although not for the fox. However, we must do something to root out the horrible practice of live hare coursing. There is simply no justification for it if we are concerned about the welfare of small animals. I believe it is bad for the moral welfare of the people who watch the sport. No decent person should take pleasure from the hunting to death of a small, frightened animal. I agree with Senator Mooney about education - it is an important element in encouraging people to respect wildlife." (16 November 2000).
"I heard a Member on the Government side attempt to defend the obscenity of coursing, which is indefensible." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage, 26 January 2010.
"In case anybody thinks I am red in tooth and claw in terms of hunting, I leave a question mark over fox hunting but disdain most other forms. I consider hare coursing to be a particularly damnable and degrading pursuit and I condemn it outright." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 10 February 2010.
Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail):
What about animal sports, or even, by a further extension, pest control? There are sports such as stag hunting that we are not too used to up in Donegal, but there are many other sports such as hare coursing. Where does that fall with regard to section 12? The section states: "A person shall not ... do, or fail to do, anything or cause or permit anything to be done to an animal that causes injury." Where does that leave the area of sports? Does it have any effect? I know there is other legislation dealing with sports, but where does it leave horse racing, for example? Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage, 22 May 2012.
Senator Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail):
"There is over-regulation within the fishing industry that has driven many people from that industry. Members are now witnessing over-regulation in the greyhound industry at the coursing level or otherwise. I must confess that I have never attended a coursing meeting in my life. The amendment tabled by Fine Gael seeks to address such over-regulation." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages. Note: This amendment was declared lost.
Senator Susan O'Keeffe (Labour Party):
"If we encourage and support hunting we must do it in an appropriate way...Children who understand and appreciate the countryside can uphold the hunting laws in an appropriate way, as Senator Quinn noted, unlike other European countries where literally everything that moves is shot at. That is not the case in Ireland. If we are to have our hunting tradition, I hope and support that we would do it in an sustainable and appropriate manner. I welcome this amending legislation to ensure that those hunters who take part in hunting do so in a legal fashion." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012, 4th July 2012
Senator Labhras O Murchu (Fianna Fail):
" It would be very difficult for us to argue against coursing in rural Ireland. On the other hand, certain measures have been taken to ensure the cruelty is removed from the sport...I must admit I had a ferret at home when I was young. I used to go out hunting for rabbits with the ferret and with a net. If I caught a rabbit, I sold it or else we had it at home. Perhaps I saw that as part of survival." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012, 4th July 2012
Senator Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael):
"Will the Minister clarify whether wild animals are included in the definition of what constitutes an animal under this section? I refer, for example, to wild birds and fish. The Bill may be in conflict with certain aspects of the Wildlife Act on which hunters rely to validate their sports activities." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage, 22 May 2012.
Senator Averil Power (Fianna Fail):
Senator Averil Power was thanked by ICABS in August 2011 after she joined calls on Minister Jimmy Deenihan to refuse a coursing licence. Read More
Senator Feargal Quinn (Independent):
"I declared my interest on Second Stage in that I was a member of the Ward Union Hunt 20 years ago and I have received requests from its members to make a case on their behalf." (Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 10 February 2010)
"I must declare an interest. For many years I hunted with the Fingal Harriers and the Ward Union Hunt. In Britain, the ban on hunting shows the clear division between city and country. I would hate to see this happen in this country." (Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009, 03 February 2010)
Senator John Whelan (Labour Party):
In August 2012, John Whelan condemned stag hunting as a "relic of our colonial past" and said it's "best to leave it where it is…consigned to history!!". He made the comment in response to a Journal.ie article outlining how hunters are seeking the return of the banned Ward Union staghunt. "Stag hunting does not have its roots or traditions in rural Ireland but is a throw-back to Mad King George and our colonial past," Senator Whelan stated. "It is not pursued, desired or missed by country people or rural Ireland but an elitist and cruel pursuit previously practised in one part of County Meath."
"Stag hunting has no basis in rural Irish tradition; cannot by any stretch of the imagination be seen to be representative of rural Ireland or the traditional lifestyle and activities enjoyed and cherished in rural Ireland," he added. "There is NO commitment by this Government to overturn the Ward Union Hunt ban and I for one would vigorously oppose any attempt to have stag hunting re-introduced to this country."
Views of former TDs and Senators
Cllr Brian Bermingham (Fine Gael, Cork City Council)
"I am very pleased the Dail has passed the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010"
30 June 2010
Cllr Damien Brady (Sinn Fein, Cavan):
"Fine Gael Cllr Peter McVitty and Sinn Fein Cllr Damien Brady from Cavan voiced their support for the [pro-blood sports Rise] campaign." (Leitrim Observer, May 24, 2010).
Cllr Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail, Meath West):
ICABS thanked Cllr Shane Cassells in 2010 for being one of only 3 Meath County Councillors who voted against a pro-blood sports motion. "I firmly believe that the majority of Meath people are in favour of seeing the pursuit of live deer banned...I was very pleased to speak out against the mistruths which the RISE campaign are using to try and advance their cause." Read More
Cllr Michael Gleeson (Independent, Kerry South):
A County Kerry Councillor has been criticised by ICABS after he called for the urgent elimination of the mink species. Cllr Michael Gleeson said that "it is imperative that an onslaught is commenced on the most unwelcome mink." (October 2007) Read More
Cllr Wayne Harding (Fianna Fail, Meath County Council):
"I am calling on this Council to request Minister Jimmy Deenihan to reverse the ban on Stag Hunting with immediate effect as promised by both Fine Gael and Labour prior to the General Election". The motion was proposed by Councillor Tommy Reilly and seconded by Councillor Wayne Harding. From the minutes of Meath County Council's January 2012 meeting.
Cllr John Hogan (Fianna Fail, North Tipperary County Council)
"I support coursing...I believe that you are misinformed when you claim that most people find hare coursing abhorrent and unacceptable." (From an email to ICABS, 10th September 2010)
Cllr Gino Kenny (People Before Profit Alliance, South Dublin County Council) "I'm against any type of blood Sport which wantonly hurts any animal. I hope one day soon that blood sports in Britain and Ireland are a relic of the past." - www.ginokenny.com. For more information, read our report
Cllr Martin Kenny (Sinn Fein, Roscommon Leitrim South):
"Cllr Martin Kenny said he would propose the motion to support Rise at the next Leitrim County Council meeting." (Leitrim Observer, May 24, 2010). Rise is a pro-blood sports group. Download the minutes of the Leitrim County Council meeting to see the wording of his motion.
Cllr Peter McVitty (Fine Gael, Cavan):
"Fine Gael Cllr Peter McVitty and Sinn Fein Cllr Damien Brady from Cavan voiced their support for the [pro-blood sports Rise] campaign." (Leitrim Observer, May 24, 2010).
Cllr Thomas Mulligan (Fine Gael, Leitrim County Council)
"Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council Thomas Mulligan said he had an interest in many field sports and had never seen anything of concern in relation to animal welfare and saw no benefits in banning these activities." (Leitrim Observer, May 24, 2010).
Cllr Pa O'Driscoll (Fine Gael, Cork East):
"I am a member of Rathcormac Coursing Club" From his profile on the Newstalk website
Cllr Cieran Perry (Independent, Dublin Central):
"I believe that the netting and coursing of wild hares is a cruel and barbaric practice that has no place in the Ireland of today. Despite the introduction of muzzling, which coursing enthusiasts reassured the public would remove the "kill" element of this so-called sport, it is clear that the coursing fraternity cannot be trusted to police their own events. It is surely now time to consign this cruel and shameful practice to the dustbin of history once and for all". From a statement issued on 03 February, 2011. Read More...
In October 2010, Cieran Perry succeeded in getting a motion passed in Dublin City Council to ban the import and sale of real fur, in the jurisdiction of Dublin City.
Cllr Tommy Reilly (Fianna Fail, Meath County Council):
"I am calling on this Council to request Minister Jimmy Deenihan to reverse the ban on Stag Hunting with immediate effect as promised by both Fine Gael and Labour prior to the General Election". The motion was proposed by Councillor Tommy Reilly and seconded by Councillor Wayne Harding. From the minutes of Meath County Council's January 2012 meeting.
Cllr John Sheehan (Glin Council, Co Limerick):
"Best wishes from John Sheehan, Local County Councillor" (From an advert in a Glin Coursing Meeting booklet)
Councillors John Kennedy (Lab), Jonathan Meaney (Lab), Jim Casey (FF), Ger Darcy (Fine Gael), Eddie Moran (Ind), Michael Smith (FF) (North Tipperary Co Council):
Opposition to the Government's hunting proposals was also expressed at last month's meeting of North Tipperary Co Council, where local councillors spoke of the importance of hunting in the county. Councillors John Kennedy (Lab) and Jonathan Meaney (Lab) submitted a notice of motion urging the council to recognise the increasing level of popular support being expressed for the RISE (Rural Ireland Says Enough!) campaign and call on the Government to heed the campaign's concerns. Cllr Jim Casey (FF) called on the council to oppose the legislation being proposed by Minister Gormley in respect of hunting in rural Ireland. He said the council has a duty to protect North Tipperary's fox hunting tradition and the local horse trade. Cllr Ger Darcy (Fine Gael) said the council should be promoting hunting as part of its bid to draw more visitors to North Tipperary. He also described hunting as an alternative sport for young people that don't pick up the mainstream sports of hurling, rugby and soccer. Cllr Eddie Moran (Ind) said the hunts generate employment and trade in North Tipperary. Cllr Michael Smith (FF) also supported the motions, and while none of the councillors would be in favour of animal cruelty, he said there should be more dialogue between the stakeholders involved.
From an article in the Nenagh Guardian (10/07/2010)
http://www.nenaghguardian.ie/news-detail.php?article=RJYPLI
Councillor Fred Treacy (Fine Gael) (Kinsale Town Council):
According to a 7th January 2012 report in the Southern Star newspaper, "Members of the South Cork Farmers Hunt provided an impressive sight as they were waved off by Kinsale Mayor, Fred Treacy". Mayor Treacy can be contacted at ftreacy@gofree.indigo.ie or Tel: 021-4772691 or 086-8275481).
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