Coppinger calls for “real debate” on fox hunting ahead of Dáil vote

Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger, has called for a “real debate in the media and Dáil on the cruelty of fox hunting — not strawmen arguments”.

“With three days to go to a historic vote on a Bill to ban fox hunting, a real debate has not taken place in the media. This should be rectified in the last few days,” she said.

“I challenge proponents of fox hunting to a debate — the hunt clubs or indeed the TDs or senators who want to maintain this archaic, barbaric practice. No debate has been organised by any media outlet between myself or those who practice or support fox hunting since I launched my Bill in May and announced the second stage date last month.”

“Today we read Minister Healy Rae (Independent News) defend fox hunting as necessary for animal husbandry! No farmer manages livestock by going on a hunt. At no point does he or other TDs interviewed deal with the key issue of cruelty”

“It’s shocking that a minister in the Dept of Agriculture approaches a serious issue of animal welfare by trying to stir up a rural-urban divide. Minister Healy Rae turns everything into an attack on rural life but there is similarity of views – in actual scientific polls – between people in urban and rural areas on this issue,” the Dublin West TD said.

“In the recent  ‘Ireland Thinks’ poll, fox hunting was opposed in Dublin 76%, Leinster 71%, Munster 69%, Connacht-Ulster 73%. We have to ask why then are the three big parties whipping their TDs to uphold something so unpopular?

“Healy Rae says people in urban areas can’t understand rural life. He and his brother don’t apply the same rule when denying women the right to choose. TDs are national representatives and legislate on national issues,” she said.

“Foxes are not a major threat to lambs or livestock and play a vital role in our ecosystem, keeping down rodents and rabbits and clearing away carcasses.

“Rural life is threatened by many things –  emigration, centralisation of employment, taking away post offices, banks etc — not by banning fox hunting. This is about animal welfare. There is tourism  that seems to have built up around fox hunting with visitors coming from the UK where it’s banned for 20 years now – this may be what Healy Rae is concerned about as he has business interests in tourism.

“There are plenty of alternatives for horses with huge possibilities to develop trekking, foster the love of young people for horses with riding and horse clubs going beyond the privileged. The breeding of hounds just to kill foxes for sport can’t be justified – but of course the owners of hounds can still love and keep them active and they make wonderful pets.

“Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar once said Ireland is a laggard on animal rights. The Dáil has a chance on Wednesday to ban the drawn-out torture and killing of a native species and to send a message that animal welfare matters.”