Bill to ban fox hunting defeated in Dáil

Ottoline Spearman

The bill to ban fox hunting was voted down by 124 to 24 votes on Wednesday night in the Dáil.

The bill, introduced by People before Profit Solidarity TD, Ruth Coppinger, sought to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to ban the hunting of a fox or foxes.

However, it was opposed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin.

Opposing the bill, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said: "It is important to note that hunting in Ireland today is not unregulated. Rather, it operates under clear codes of conduct, licensing, welfare standards and full insurance requirements."

Ms Coppinger told the Dáil: "Some 80 per cent of people are opposed to blood sports. Some 80 per cent of people are opposed to fox hunting if you exclude the do-not-knows. If they are included, 73 per cent were opposed to it in the last poll. They are from all around the country, rural and urban Ireland.

"We have a problem in this House. Three of the big parties are going to come in here and vote the exact opposite of what most of the population wants. They can make up any excuse they like, that they are representing rural Ireland or whatever else but the reality is there."

After the bill's defeat, Ms Coppinger said in a social media post: "FF,FG, SF, Ind Irel and Aontú vote to keep fox hunting despite 85% opposing blood sports.

"Not the first time Dáil has been poles apart from population. We will fight on to #BanFoxHunting".