'Unprecedented': Two TDs will oppose first stage of fox hunt bill 

The bill is being opposed by Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Collins, who said if hunting foxes was banned, the next thing is there would be people seeking to protect rats or mice

People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger said the two TDs' move to oppose her fox hunt ban bill before its second stage amounted to 'stifling of the freedom of debate and freedom of speech'. Picture: Gráinne Ní Aodha/PA

A bill to ban fox hunting has been opposed at the first stage by two rural independent TDs in a move that has been labelled "unprecedented".

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger introduced her bill calling on TDs to move to ban "one of Ireland's most inhumane activities".

The Government did not oppose the bill but Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae told the Dáil: "I oppose it anyway".

Ms Coppinger said it is unprecedented for a TD to stand up and try to prevent a bill from reaching second stage for debate.

Halting the bill 'would stifle free speech'

"I have introduced many controversial things, as have other TDs, and I have never stopped a bill from going to second stage," she said. 

I have been told to put on the big-girl pants and allow debate but here we have a stifling of the freedom of debate and freedom of speech.

Ireland is an outlier when it comes to permitting fox hunting as it has been banned in Britain for two decades, Ms Coppinger said, adding that there would be outcry if a domestic animal was treated the same way.

A Red C poll was cited which showed that over three-quarters of people wish to see the practice of fox hunting banned in Ireland while 74% in rural areas agreed.

"It is not a major activity undertaken by a lot of people in rural areas. Part of the rural opposition comes from farmers themselves who have hunts going over their lands without permission, causing them problems and, according to one person, causing them €6,000 in damage," said Ms Coppinger.

Foxes are native to Ireland, part of its biodiversity and naturally control their own environment as well as the rodent and rabbit populations, the Dublin West TD told the Dáil.

Independent Ireland Cork South-West TD Michael Collins called foxes a "pest species" and said that if this bill were to pass, the next thing there would be people seeking to protect rats or mice.

"Nobody wants to protect the human beings, that is the problem from what I can see here," said Mr Collins

If we can at some stage put in further protections, we should do that at some stage, but we have to control pests. I certainly will be one of those opposing this.

"Down through the years people have been treated as if they are being unfair to animals when I do not always agree that is the case."

Mr Healy-Rae said he has been contacted "from every corner of Kerry" by phone and email to ensure that the bill is stopped before it can start.

The population of foxes has increased dramatically, Mr Healy-Rae said, "they are in and out of bins and they are everywhere".