Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

We have a position on stag hunting. We improved the welfare of stags when in Government. That is something which can be built on in a thoughtful way.

The main issue is that the Minister has not consulted the stakeholders. There are implications for people who work in this activity. Reports by MacMillan and Phillip have stated that 30 people could lose their jobs as a result of this ban and €1 million could be withdrawn from the local economy and that is not to mention the ancillary expenditure by participants in the hunt and the service to farmers where dead animals are picked up by people involved in the Ward Union Hunt so they will not rot in the fields and there will not be environmental hazards. Will that ancillary activity of the Ward Union Hunt survive if this unilateral ban is put in place without any consultation with the stakeholders and any consideration of the consequences? Whatever the Minister does, he should ensure there are not unintended consequences that will damage animal welfare, divide communities or result in people losing their jobs.

Many jockeys have said it will undermine their capacity to develop riding skills.

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