Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I am delighted to be able to attend the select committee. It is nice to be able to compliment the Minister and his officials on dealing with the Bill in the sensible way they have, using a realistic and practical approach. The public might believe the Technical Group is against hunting and sport, but it is not. The system for tabling amendments means that Deputy Thomas Pringle's name is used, as he is the Technical Group's member of the select committee. However, he is somewhat embarrassed by them.

They do not reflect his views, especially given the number of industries and fur farms in his own constituency. One has to live in the real world to understand what goes on in rural Ireland. I am sick and tired of listening to the Dublin 4 clan telling us in rural Ireland how to live. I invited Deputies Maureen O'Sullivan and Clare Daly to visit one of our coursing meetings in Clonmel but they refused. There are none so blind as those who cannot see.