Hunting move angers FF backbenchers

THE Green Party has riled up backbench Fianna Fáil TDs by pressing ahead with a controversial law to stop pack dogs hunting stags.

Environment Minster John Gormley brought the wildlife amendment legislation into the Dáil yesterday and faced down opposition from across the political divide and from the Government’s own ranks.

But he said there was no good argument for retaining the right to chase deer in this way for 50 meetings a year. “It is not acceptable to allow a hunt with hounds and horses of what is essentially a farm animal. We do not consider it acceptable to set dogs in pursuit of any other farmed animal.