Three Independents to back hare-coursing ban

Independent ministers Shane Ross, Finian McGrath, and John Halligan are to vote against the Government today when they support Independent Maureen O’Sullivan’s bill on banning hare coursing.

The trio have confirmed that they will defy the Government whip and vote with Ms O’Sullivan, as they agree with the spirit of the bill and it is not subject to their Programme for Government commitments with Fine Gael.

Another ministerial member of the alliance, junior minister Seán Canney, told the Irish Examiner that he was undecided on the matter, and would make up his mind this morning ahead of the vote.