James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I ask the Minister of State to reconsider the adverse implications of this ill-considered threat to field sports, hare coursing and the Ward Union carted stag hunt. I do not know what he hopes to gain from the interference in a well-regulated sporting activity. However, I am aware of the great losses that would be incurred by sporting organisations, tourists and our economy.

The Minister of State's Government has presided over the rape of the countryside. It has destroyed the farming sector and left rural areas without viable infrastructure, transport, health and educational facilities through lack of funding.

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