Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Today we are starting a second lockdown and the people out there are restricted in very many ways. I appeal to the Government to implement logical, reasonable and sound restrictions. The coursing people of Ireland come from the countryside and they love coursing. They mind their animals and nurture the hares. They are in the middle of coursing but everything stopped yesterday evening. Coursing takes place in controlled areas in the countryside. It involves men, women and children out in the fresh air. They are not crowded into an enclosed area with close social contacts. This is totally unfair. Will the Tánaiste speak with the Ministers with responsibility for agriculture and the environment to sort out this matter? The people who were granted the licences are in the middle of coursing; some were running yesterday and the day before but these are now stopped. The hares are being looked after. There will be animal welfare concerns about dogs. This is a business for many people as well as a recreational activity and very valuable industry. It is very good for people's mental health.

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