Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
499. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to an incident on 5 February 2018 when a number of hounds from a club (details supplied) ran onto the M3 resulting in the death of four dogs and creating a significant danger for motorists; the steps he will take to sanction the club; and his plans for legislation to ban fox hunting. [7327/18]
View answerI am aware of the reported incident.
The Hunting Association of Ireland has a detailed Code of Conduct in place in respect of the hunting of foxes. I am disappointed that despite the existence of this Code, this event occurred. I have asked my officials to engage with the Hunting Association to establish the circumstances associated with this event and to determine whether, in light of this event and another recent event, the Code needs updating.
Given that detailed debate was held around the issue of hunting during the passage of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and the Dail voted overwhelmingly to allow the continuation of fox hunting, I am not proposing the introduction of a ban.
