Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

There are many who hunt because the tradition existed in this country. Times will change as time passes but at this moment what worries me most is that this is an illustration of what happens when a small group of people within Government seize power and their bigger brothers in Government do nothing to arrest their progress. They then decide to hold society to ransom. This is what is happening. It is grossly unfair and, without a shadow of doubt, it is undemocratic. Ordinarily, I would not be so exercised by this but I strongly oppose the attempt by this Government in this legislation to do what it proposes.

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