A Bill put forward by People Before Profit to ban fox hunting is “specifically designed to be emotive and confrontational,” the Minister for Agriculture said today, confirming that the Government will oppose it ahead of a vote tonight.
The Bill has been met with strong opposition from many Rural TDs, who argue that fox hunting is a means of pest control. Speaking today, junior minister Michael Healy Rae claimed that those behind the Bill were “misleading” the public on the realities of fox hunting.
The Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2025, led by People-Before-Profit TD Ruth Coppinger, would ban the use of canines to hunt or flush out foxes whilst also outlawing trapping or snaring of the foxes in order to kill them.
Wednesday’s debate heard Healy-Rae describe the legislation as “a con-job,” as he claimed that those backing it are “giving the impression that this is about people up on horses with red coats and shouting ‘tally ho’”.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Martin Heydon of Fine Gael, said that while he and his Department “take the matter of animal welfare most seriously,” it already “devotes considerable resources to protect the well-being of animals” and deal with animal welfare breaches.
“On behalf of the Government, I am putting forward our stance to oppose the Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill 2025,” Mr Heydon said.
Speaking on behalf of the Government, the Minister for Agriculture said that it was important to note that hunting in Ireland today is “not unregulated,” but instead operates under clear codes of conduct, licensing, welfare standards and full insurance requirements.
“Foxes are not a protected species under the wildlife Acts in Ireland and it is legal to hunt foxes under the legislation. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne, has no plans to change the legislation with regard to foxes at this time,” added Deputy Heydon.
“Where a specific case of animal neglect or cruelty is identified, offences may be prosecuted under the Act. There are strict penalties that apply for offences under section 12 of this Act. On summary conviction, offences are liable to a class A fine to a maximum of €5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. On conviction of indictment, offences are liable to a fine not exceeding €250,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.”
Ruth Coppinger TD had argued that hunting led to a “horrific ending” for foxes, describing the debate as “historic”. The TD said that it was “ironic” that the three big parties in the Dáil that profess to be nationalist maintain the status of foxhunting as a formal support when it has been banned in the UK for over 20 years.
“It is ironic that in 1919 Sinn Féin, for example, the forerunner of the three big parties in the Dáil today, ran a campaign of disruption of fox hunts in protest at the release of prisoners for independence precisely because fox hunting was carried out by the landed gentry,” said Coppinger.
She said that there is “overwhelming opposition to fox hunting in this country.”
“Let us be very clear on that from the outset. It is not popular in any way whatsoever in all regions and among all ages. We have heard some Ministers banging a rural-urban drum all week. However, a recent poll found 73% of people are opposed to fox hunting and only 12% expressed any support for it.”
“This is about cruelty to animals,” said Coppinger.
‘LONG HELD TRADITION AND WAY OF LIFE’
However, outlining Government opposition to the Bill, Minister Heydon continued: “I recognise that this is a deeply emotive issue, one which people on both sides of the argument feel passionately about.
“Fox hunting represents a long-held tradition and is a part of a way of life for those involved. While it is not an activity the vast majority of people engage in, it means an awful lot to the people who do. People employed by hunting associations or who work in the kennels and care for the dogs and horses have woken up this morning not knowing whether there is a future for their job or animals when they go to bed tonight.
“It is entirely disproportionate to try to make criminals of these people overnight for engaging in an activity that, in many cases, stretches back generations.”
Mr Heydon noted a concern that while farmers need to shoot foxes on occasion as a control mechanism, under the Bill, this “would not be permissible at all.”
“As such, this Bill would ban the hunting of foxes with hounds, trail hunting with hounds and the shooting of foxes for pest control, which is carried out to protect livestock and forms an important source of foxes for disease surveillance purposes.”
“The Bill, as it is formed and worded, proposes to ban all hunting for foxes, regardless of the purpose and manner in which that hunting is carried out.”
“Hunting provides one of the necessary means of controlling the fox population in Ireland. Deputy Coppinger and People Before Profit are pursuing this as a wedge issue, specifically designed to be emotive and confrontational. If they were honest, this is only a starting point for them. I have no doubt there are many other rural activities they would also like to ban,” the Deputy said.
“If they get their way today, it will not stop there. Before long, People Before Profit would have us back here debating legislation no doubt to ban fishing because of the impact it would have on the worm and mayfly. “