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.

DUBLIN NORTH WEST

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Cllr Cathleen Carney Boud (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
"Yes I am in favour of a ban on blood sports" from a text message to ICABS, June 2015.

Caroline Conroy (Green Party, Dublin North West):
"I am opposed to all blood sports" from a tweet to ICABS, February 2016.

Jimmy Dignam (Workers' Party, Dublin North West):
"I am utterly opposed to hare coursing, foxhunting and any other so-called "blood sports". Indeed, I am against any form of cruelty towards animals in the name of entertainment. I wholeheartedly support your campaign and wish you every success with the great work that you do." from an email to ICABS, January 2016.

Dessie Ellis TD (Sinn Fein, Dublin North West)
In March 2013, Dessie Ellis TD 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.

Cllr Andrew Keegan (People Before Profit, Dublin City Council)
"No to blood sports." from a tweet, February 2016.

"I don't support blood sports, senseless hunting, the fur trade or any cruel acts to any animal no matter how important it may be locally perceived." from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

John Lyons (Labour Party, Dublin North West):
In March 2013, John Lyons 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.

Cormac McKay (Direct Democracy Ireland, Dublin North West)
"I support you and your group and its objectives for animal protection and cruelty prevention." from an email to ICABS, January 2016.

Roisin Shortall, TD (Social Democrats, Dublin North West):
"To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the large scale destruction of farm and other property, often running to thousands of euro, by the unauthorised use of such lands for the purposes of live hunting." (From a Dail Question tabled in 2004)

On 27th March 2013, Roisin Shortall supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.

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