Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I apologise on behalf of Deputy Martin Ferris who had to attend a funeral unexpectedly. He asked me to deputise for him.

I thank the Minister for the outline. There is compelling logic behind badger culling, as mentioned in the report thereon. I have no issue with it.

With regard to fur farming and hare coursing, the review group found that, on balance, there were no compelling arguments in favour of banning the farming of fur animals in Ireland. The only question to be addressed is probably not one in respect of which numeric logic is required; it is simply a question of whether it is right to put animals at risk of death, serious injury or serious stress for reasons other than disease control or food production. We need to examine this issue. Many argue that it is not necessary to kill an animal to create an overcoat and that it is not necessary to put hares under stress or at serious risk of death or injury for sporting purposes. I am not sure a review group can present a mathematical equation to show whether the practices are right or wrong; it is a moral question.

Badgers are to be captured using restraints which are monitored by departmental staff. It is recommended that fur farming be allowed to continue under licence and subject to enhanced official controls. The third recommendation is that the frequency of the Department's veterinary and agricultural inspections be doubled. The fourth is that veterinary inspectors from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine attend and monitor a minimum of eight coursing events in 2013. There will have to be a total reversal of the capping of public service staff numbers. We will soon be instigating a job creation programme if we are to have supervision and monitoring at the desired level. Who will pay for it?