Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is another sort of Irish solution to an Irish problem, because the rules belie a reality that is very different. We have an incredible contradiction where, on the one hand, hares are protected under the Wildlife Act but, on the other, under the Animal Health and Welfare Act all animals are protected with the exception of hares to be coursed. This resulted, in 2015, in a situation where 7,000 hares were taken from the wild to be used in live coursing events. We are one of a minority of countries which allow this barbarity to continue. Contrary to the Minister's statements on the conditions hares face, the reports from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which is employed to monitor this situation, tell us that only 17 of the 75 events held in the country last year had National Parks and Wildlife Service officials in attendance and the state of many of the hares requiring assistance, which were released back to the wild distressed, is evident in its reports, which refute the information given to the Minister by Bord na gCon.

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