Fine Gael Opposes Ban on Ward Union Staghounds
22nd February 2010

Fine Gael is opposed to the proposal by the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley TD, to ban stag hunting by the Ward Union Staghounds in counties Meath and Dublin, and will repeal any ban in government.

The Party’s Front Bench has adopted a policy proposal to this effect from the Fine Gael Spokesperson on the Environment,
Phil Hogan TD (Carlow-Kilkenny).

Deputy Hogan’s policy proposal cited the concerns of hunting, shooting and angling enthusiasts that the proposed ban on the Ward Union Hunt is an effort to set a precedent for pursuing a wider and more aggressive Green agenda in the future. This would inevitably lead to bans and restrictions in other areas of countryside recreation to the detriment of the rural population. Deputy Hogan also briefed the Front Bench on the estimated €112 million value of hunting to the economy annually, with €1.4 million of that amount contributed by the Ward Union Hunt in the North East.

A spokesperson for the pro-hunting campaign RISE! welcomed the Fine Gael policy: ‘This is a major step forward in our campaign and we commend Fine Gael for the leadership they have shown on this issue.   We are stepping up our lobbying of all public representatives at constituency level and we hope to see other political parties coming on board in the near future.’

The Minister for the Environment is expected to publish a Bill to ban the Ward Union Hunt sometime around Easter.


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