Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Many people are highly concerned about this Bill and are fearful for the many other rural pursuits that are practised and engaged in. This legislation is being perceived as an attack that will lead to a ban on all field sports. The organisations opposed to the Bill represent more than 300,000 people involved in country pursuits. Rural field sports are family-orientated activities that are not ageist, sexist or racist. Generations of Irish people have taken part in such healthy, outdoor and family activities. Rural sports are an important economic activity in many rural communities and provide important support to the farming and bloodstock industry. As a rural Deputy, I represent an area in which there are two hunt clubs on my doorstep, namely, the Ballymacad Hunt and the Meath Hunt. I know exactly how important both these hunts are to the local community. They have major support across a broad area. Foxhunting nationally is a major contributor to the economy in the absence of any State support.

The Government has decided that stag hunting should cease for animal welfare and public safety reasons. The purpose of the Bill is to give legislative effect to the commitment in the renewed programme for Government to ban the practice of stag hunting with a pack of hounds. I call on the Minister to conduct a full regulatory impact assessment before proceeding with this Bill and to consult further with all stakeholders. A ban on the Ward Union Hunt will remove €1.4 million in spending power annually from the north-east region. A similar ban or restriction on other field sports would reduce spending power nationally by well over €100 million.

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