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 NORTH CENTRAL

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Cllr Mick Barry (Socialist Party/Anti Austerity Alliance, Cork City Council)
"I am opposed to blood 'sports' and 'sports' that involve cruelty to animals. I am also opposed to wild animal circuses and favour a Council ban on them. I am equally opposed to foxhunting and hare coursing." from an email to ICABS, May 2014.

Billy Kelleher, TD (Fianna Fail, Cork North Central):
In March 2013, Billy Kelleher voted against an amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to secure a ban on fur farming in Ireland. Billy Kelleher also voted against the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004.

Kathleen Lynch, TD (Labour Party, Cork North Central):
Kathleen Lynch, TD was due to take part [in a Late Late Show debate on hunting] as a main speaker on the panel, opposing a hunting representative. from Hunters run scared of Late Late Show, ICABS website, 10 January 2008.

Kathleen Lynch voted in favour of the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004. The bill was defeated by 67 votes to 50.

Oliver Moran (Green Party, Cork North Central):
"[The Green Party] will end hare coursing, fox hunting, hare hunting and mink hunting for sport." from a tweet to ICABS, 19th January 2016.

Dara Murphy, TD (Fine Gael, Cork North Central):
In March 2013, Dara Murphy 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.

In a March 2014 Dail question, Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality "his plans to alter legislation in relation to gun ownership for hunting and target practice; if he has received any requests to alter such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter."

Jonathan O'Brien, TD (Sinn Fein, Cork North Central):
In March 2013, Jonathan O'Brien 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.

Paddy O’Leary (Renua, Cork North Central):
"I think both fox hunting and coursing are cruel and a throwback to our colonial past and best left there. Count me as an opposer to all blood sports." from an email to ICABS, February 2016.

Cllr Ted Tynan (Workers Party, Cork City Council)
"Very much yes [in favour of a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting]." from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

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