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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 5

Written Answers. - Fox Hunting.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

54 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that the conditions which he has attached to fox hunting are being observed; and the plans, if any, he has to ban the digging out of foxes and the use of terriers to flush them from earths. [26328/99]

I have no reason to believe there has not been general compliance by affiliated hunts with the rules and procedures governing fox hunting since their introduction by the Hunting Association of Ireland in August 1998. These rules and procedures have applied throughout the full 1998-99 hunting season and the current season to date. During that time my Department has been made aware of one specific complaint alleging breaches of these rules and procedures by a particular hunt and one anecdotal complaint. The first of these complaints has been passed to the HAI for investigation, and in the second case the complainant is being advised to take a similar course. As I pointed out in my reply to Question No. 44 on 1 July last, restrictions relating to the practices of digging out, bolting and earthstopping are specifically provided for in these rules and procedures. I am on public record as having expressed concerns in the past about such practices and I regard the introduction of and compliance with the rules and procedures as a positive and welcome advance in this regard.

I again take the opportunity to emphasise the importance which I attach to ensuring there is full compliance with the rules and procedures by all concerned, that any alleged breaches are properly investigated, and that any persons found to have breached the rules and procedures are properly sanctioned by the HAI. I have received formal assurances in this regard from the HAI and its affiliated fox-hunting organisations and have made it clear that I expect such assurances to be honoured.

Any person making an allegation or complaint of a breach of the rules and procedures must of course provide to the HAI supporting evidence of the alleged breach in order to facilitate proper investigation in accordance with fair procedures. It is open to a complainant to provide such information to my Department, which will pass it to HAI with a request that the matter be investigated.

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