Coppinger calls for free Dáil vote on fox hunting

TD Ruth Coppinger has called on all Dáil parties to allow a free vote on her proposed bill which would ban fox hunting.

Coppinger’s bill will move to the second stage after receiving support from the government parties, but curiously, not Sinn Féin.

As the bill moves to the second stage, Coppinger said that a free vote would help clear up confusion, noting that a free vote was allowed during Repeal and on the assisted dying debate last year.

“Having a free conscience vote would allow TDs to vote in line with the majority of people who want fox hunting banned, without parties being pressured by small but powerful lobby groups,” the People Before Profit/Solidarity TD said.

“Following an unprecedented vote last night in the Dail where TDs from Independent Ireland, Sinn Fein and Aontu – as well as independent TDs Danny Healy Rae, Carol Nolan, Mattie Mc Grath and Brian Stanley – voted against allowing the Bill move forward for second stage debate, it is clear how unhappy many individual TDs are on this issue,” the Dublin West TD noted.

“I know there are individual TDs who were whipped into voting against my Bill progressing who are opposed to fox hunting and blood sports. Parties need to be urged to let them vote freely.”

“A campaign of education and lobbying by animal and wildlife lovers will now begin up to second stage of the Bill. Foxes are a native species, part of our biodiversity and Ireland is now 20 years behind most countries in outlawing fox hunting.”