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'The Sunday Business Post' Feb 21th, 2010 Fine Gael promises to defend stag hunting By: John Burke Public Affairs Correspondent Fine Gael has said it will repeal any changes to the licensing of stag hunting made by the government. Green Party leader and environment minister John Gormley secured agreement with Fianna Fáil to introduce legislation to ban stag hunting under the renewed Programme for Government. The ban is aimed at putting an end to the Ward Union Hunt in Co Meath, which is the sole remaining stag hunt licensed in the state. The agreement has caused concern among some rural Fianna Fáil backbenchers. Fine Gael environment spokesman Phil Hogan wrote to hunting associations in recent days, setting out the party’s commitment to ‘‘oppose any change to existing licensing arrangements for stag hunting’’. The letter said that the party would ‘‘reverse any changes made by the present government in that regard’’ if it assumed government after the next general election. A spokesman for the Meath hunt, Liam Cahill, described the written commitment as a ‘‘hugely welcome move’’, but said the Ward Union would be continuing its strategy of resistance to the planned legislative change, which is aimed at amending the law under which stag hunting is licensed. Cahill said that the hunting community welcomed the ‘‘unequivocal support of Fine Gael’’ while, at the same time, they had received ‘‘nice warm sounds but no action’’ from Fianna Fáil TDs and senators. The Ward Union Hunt dates from 1854 and is the world’s sole remaining carted stag hunt. The hunt involves the use of a live stag and a limited number of hounds and trained huntsmen at chase. The hunt’s next outing takes place tomorrow, at Oberstown, Co Meath, and the hunt season runs until mid March. Some Fianna Fáil TDs mooted a free vote on the bill when it comes before the Dáil in the spring. Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness has called for a vote on the bill without the party whip, while Wexford TD Sean Connick said he shared McGuinness’s concerns. Back to Media Coverage |
