James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I welcome the contributions of Deputy Wallace and Deputy Mattie McGrath. The first shots in the next general election are being fired here this evening. Deputy Wallace and Deputy McGrath, among others on the Fianna Fáil backbenches, will have their opportunity here on Tuesday evening to vote against this Bill and I hope they will do so in the interests of rural Ireland. I advise them not to be hypocrites. If they do not vote against this Bill, they will be seen as the greatest hypocrites this country has ever seen. I will be watching their performance here on Tuesday evening.

I was watching the Minister during the contributions from Deputy Wallace and Deputy McGrath. While he continually interrupted Deputy Phil Hogan, Deputy Emmet Stagg and Deputy Joanna Tuffy, all he could do was to look back over his shoulder at Deputy Wallace in particular, with his mouth wide open in a state of shock. It shows how little thought was put into this Bill by the Minister and into the interests of the people of rural Ireland.

I emphasise that I am totally opposed to this legislation, as a representative of Longford-Westmeath and as a countryman who supports the rural pursuits and unique heritage and tradition of field sports. While saying this, I have also spent my life caring for animals and likewise I oppose any cruelty to them whatsoever. However, there are ways of ensuring animal safety and indeed, human safety, other than those proposed in this legislation. In what can only be seen as totally appropriate, an English newspaper yesterday contained the headline, "Yes, It's Gormley Again". While this piece of journalistic endeavour did not refer to the current Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the sentiment fully endorses the feelings of rural Ireland. The people of rural Ireland and urban Ireland are very angry with the way he has behaved since he became Minister. The Minister's name is synonymous with an increasing number of initiatives that have brought heartache and economic fall-out to rural and urban areas. Unfortunately, this legislation is a continuation of that trend. No matter which way we look at it, this Bill is rural legislation being imposed by an urban-based Minister who, with all respects, does not have a rural heritage.

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