Hare coursing ban would make rural people feel 'their way of life is under sustained attack'— Taoiseach

TDs Paul Murphy and Ruth Coopinger with protesters outside Leinster House to campaign for hare coursing to be banned ahead of the Dáil debate last week. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins

A move to ban hare coursing makes many people feel like their way of life is under sustained attack, the Taoiseach has said.

Opposing a bill to outlaw hare coursing, Micheál Martin has told the Dáil over-regulation can lead to worse practices, adding there were varying views about the level of cruelty involved in the controversial activity.

Raising his bill ahead of last night's Dáil vote, which did not pass, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said the Government had the opportunity to ban the "barbaric" practice of hare coursing and join many other countries in saying that "terrorising animals is not entertainment or sport".

Responding, the Taoiseach said there were people in rural Ireland who would have diametrically different opinions or approaches to Mr Murphy, and that engagement was needed.

"Over time, people felt that their way of life is under sustained attack and threat, no matter how much it might be alien to the deputy's perspective, or other people's perspectives. Whether that is justified or not, this is the reality," said Mr Martin.

Taking issue with the Taoiseach's comments, Mr Murphy said the public was "miles ahead of the politicians" on the issue, referencing a poll that found 74% of people support a ban on hare coursing.

"The second thing we have heard again and again is that this industry is highly regulated. 

The whole essence of the thing is terrorising hares. It does not have animal welfare at its heart. 

"Despite what a Fine Gael TD tried to suggest in the debate on Thursday, the hares actually do not enjoy it. They are not running for the laugh, they are running because they are utterly terrified by dogs that are 10 times their size," he said.

Calls had been made for a free vote on the Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill, however, Cabinet last week decided the coalition should vote against the bill.

Explaining this, Mr Martin said: "Across the political system, parties vote in accordance with internal debates and under the whip system. That is the position."

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has said she cannot understand how anyone could “watch a hare being chased".

Her party is in favour of hare coursing being regulated rather than banned.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner in Strasbourg, Ms Boylan said her personal view on hare coursing was “not hidden” and she wanted to see it banned.

“I’ve brought forward motions in the past on it. I was happy to see the fox hunting motion pass.

“I don’t understand how anybody could watch a hare being chased. I do respect the way the policy is made, and the current position of the party is that they would rather see it regulated [rather than banned],” Ms Boylan said.

Ms Boylan said she believed it was “bizarre” to suggest rural people took a different view on animal welfare compared to urban dwellers.