Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

Deputy Tuffy and a number of Fine Gael Party Deputies stated that Fianna Fáil Party Deputies may have to vote against their beliefs because the programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce this legislation. Green Party Deputies have had to do this on other issues. There are many on the Fine Gael Party benches who are on record as strongly opposing blood sports. Tonight, they will shamefully line up and vote against forward looking legislation. They will be pragmatic, listen to the instructions of their party Whip and vote in a manner they do not like. That is the nature of politics. I would like to have free votes on many issues but unfortunately that is not the case. For some reason, this legislation scares people.

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