Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

This is supposed to be a wildlife protection Bill; it is anything but. In his address the Minister referred to domestic deer. If he were really serious about wildlife, in which I am as interested as he is, he would take steps to eliminate the escaped mink that are destroying every aspect of wildlife throughout the country. The poor old deer never destroyed anything but I do not know why the Minister wants to protect them to the exclusion of protecting other species of wildlife which are being destroyed throughout the country.

In the past week or two, I have become suspicious about the mad rush and anxiety of the minor party in Government to get its Bills passed, including this one, and those on development and dog breeding. I warn Deputies this is a sign of an election. This party wants to clear the air and have its slate clean, having got its policies through even though Fianna Fáil is lying back, doing nothing.

I am not one bit impressed by the two Independent Deputies who today declared they would vote against this Bill. They made that declaration when they knew other Independents were supporting it and there was no chance of it being defeated. That is hypocrisy of the highest order.

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