General Election 2016 - Where do the candidates stand on animal cruelty issues?

'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated' - Mahatma Gandhi
'Ultimately a great nation is a compassionate nation' - Martin Luther King

Before voting in the general election on Friday 26th February, read our guide to the candidates and where they stand on animal cruelty issues. Please make your vote count for the animals.

NOTES:
Individual candidate views may differ from official party policies, to which members are expected to follow in Dail Eireann. Click on the link to view party policies in relation to animal issues. Help us expand this list - let us know about responses you receive from candidates. If you are a candidate and wish to be included in this list, please get in touch with us now.

CORK EAST

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Tom Barry, TD (Fine Gael, Cork East):
"As a person who shoots game...Shooting at game are part of the countryside and will remain. I disagree fundamentally with people who say that we shouldn't be doing it at all." From a Dail debate on the Wildlife Act, featured on Oireachtas Report, 18 July 2012. Watch on Youtube

In a September 2014 letter from Mallow Coursing Club to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (obtained by ICABS under Freedom of Information) in relation to licence breaches, it was stated: "As regards the threatened sanctions, our two local TDs Sean Sherlock and Tom Barry have been made aware of this situation. These men attend our meeting and are well aware that this club at all times abide by the rules." In a climb-down, following discussions with Minister Heather Humphreys, the National Parks decided not to sanction Mallow coursing club, despite the licence breach conditions. For more information, see Minister Humphreys Rolls Over For Hare Coursers

Senator Paul Bradford (Renua):
"The Minister [Michael Finneran, Fianna Fail] does not propose to change his mind and does not respect or accept the bona fides of the Irish Coursing Club or greyhound industry." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 9 March 2010

"It is a given that rural organisations, including hunt and coursing clubs, cannot survive if they do not meet the highest standards of animal husbandry, hygiene and animal feeding propriety. They would not exist if they did not look after these matters with near perfection...If we see such traditions not just as historical but as important for the Ireland of today, we should help them to survive into the future. We should ensure hunting and coursing clubs and other rural organisations such as point-to-point associations remain part of the fabric of rural Ireland." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage, 10 February 2010

Ken Curtin (Social Democrats, Cork East):
"Have mixed views as can see both sides of argument, I'd be of the view they're OK to continue but under strict rules" from a 19th January 2016 tweet in reply to ICABS asking "Are you in favour of a ban on foxhunting and hare coursing." In appealing to him to reconsider his stance, ICABS told Mr Curtin that hare coursing and foxhunting are inherently cruel and that no amount of rules will change that.

Natasha Harty (Green Party, Cork East):
"I genuinely share many of your concerns about animal welfare" from an email to ICABS, January 2016.

Ciara Leonardi Roche (Anti Austerity Alliance, Cork East):
"I am strongly against foxhunting & hare coursing. I think it's a barbaric sport and it should be banned." from a tweet to ICABS, February 2016.

Cllr Kieran McCarthy (Independent, Cork County Council)
"I'm against bloodsports and I'm a supporter of well known Cobh animal rights group, ARK." from a text message to ICABS, April 2014.

In 2014, Cllr McCarthy tabled a motion to ban circuses that use animals. “Forcing them to perform and keeping them locked up in cages is wrong,” he said. Circuses which do not use performing animals still provided good entertainment and the county council should be encouraging them instead, he suggested. “Only those should be welcome,” said Mr McCarthy. “Seven city and town councils have already passed bylaws preventing it [animal acts]. There’s no place in this day and age for using animals in circuses.” (Source: Irish Examiner, June 10, 2014)

Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe (Fianna Fail, Cork East):
In 2010, Cork County Councillor Kevin O'Keeffe shamefully tabled a joint motion proposing that "that this council gives its support to the [pro-bloodsports] RISE campaign to ensure that rural sports can continue to be maintained". Kevin O'Keeffe is the son of pro-bloodsports former TD Ned O'Keeffe who is on record as saying that any attempt to abolish "rural pursuits" such as hare coursing would be "vigorously resisted''. As a pig farmer in 1995, Ned O'Keeffe farcically called for a ban the children's film, Babe, over fears that it would lead to a drop in the sale of pig meat.

Sean Sherlock, TD (Labour, Cork East):
"I am in favour of field sports and coursing and I have been at greyhound meetings. The people I represent are those who rear pups." Stated by Sean Sherlock during the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage, 8 July 2010.

"Cork East TD Sean Sherlock said he would reserve comment on stag hunting until the matter had been discussed internally. 'I believe there must be some sort of regulation but we must not regulate field sports out of existence.'" (Irish Times, April 29, 2010)

"Deputy Sean Sherlock: If [the Minister] were to support the amendment, that would give great solace to the Irish Greyhound Board, the Irish Coursing Club and to every single dog owner throughout the country who courses hares or races greyhounds in such places as Curraheen Park and Youghal." Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage 8 July 2010.

In a September 2014 letter from Mallow Coursing Club to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (obtained by ICABS under Freedom of Information) in relation to licence breaches, it was stated: "As regards the threatened sanctions, our two local TDs Sean Sherlock and Tom Barry have been made aware of this situation. These men attend our meeting and are well aware that this club at all times abide by the rules." In a climb-down, following discussions with Minister Heather Humphreys, the National Parks decided not to sanction Mallow coursing club, despite the licence breach conditions. For more information, see Minister Humphreys Rolls Over For Hare Coursers

David Stanton, TD (Fine Gael, Cork East):
In March 2013, David Stanton voted against amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to secure a ban on some of Ireland's worst acts of cruelty to animals - foxhunting, hare coursing, digging out, terrierwork, ferreting, badger culling, fur farming and the use of animals in circus performances.

David Stanton voted against the Wildlife Amendment Bill 2010 which banned staghunting.

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