Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There was a time when we were hunters and gatherers and had to hunt animals for food, but we do not have to do this anymore. It is a shame on us as a nation that we tolerate barbarity and cruelty to animals in the name of what is supposed to be a sport. It is hard to believe we continue barbaric practices. Everybody acknowledges how far the Bill went, but it did not go far enough. The Minister and I know that the hunting clubs are finding loopholes. We saw this happen recently during a staghunt in County Meath, when a loophole allowed the hunt to continue because it had caught the scent of the stag. Why can we not actively support draghunting and leave the pursuit of live animals that usually end up being pulled apart by whatever animal is chasing them to bygone days where it belongs?

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