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Labour Party politicians in favour of a ban on bloodsports
24 June 2015
A list of Labour Party politicians who have indicated that they are opposed to bloodsports. ICABS is urging more politicians from the party to come out in favour of a ban on Ireland's cruel hare coursing and foxhunting.
Labour Party TDs | Senators | Councillors
Tommy Broughan, TD (Labour Party, Dublin North-East):
ICABS has sent a message of thanks to Dublin North East TD, Tommy Broughan, after he abstained from voting in the Wildlife Amendment Bill vote in 2010. "We wish to thank you very much for remaining true to your principles and refusing to vote against the Wildlife Amendment Bill on Tuesday. Your action helped achieve success for this historic bill and bring the cruel ward union hunt to an end. You have our greatest respect and admiration," we stated. Read More
"I remain opposed to all so called blood 'sports'." (February 2010)
"[I] support your call to introduce drag coursing in place of coursing of hares." (September 2003)
On 27th March 2013, Tommy Broughan supported amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing, foxhunting, terrierwork, digging-out, ferreting and fur farming.
Joe Costello, TD (Labour, Dublin Central):
"I am opposed to all blood sports."
In January 2012, Joe Costello (Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) attended a protest against hare coursing outside the Department of Agriculture. Minister Costello stood alongside a banner calling for TDs to "Support the Bill to End Hare Coursing". Read More
"The legislation is silent on blood sports. While it refers to hunting, this concerns licences for hunting and ensuring there is not indiscriminate killing of wildlife. The two are different. One is the shooting or culling of wildlife whereas bloodsports concern a person chasing wildlife for pleasure and enjoyment. We must address the bloodsports issue in Ireland. We have touched on it from time to time but we have never dealt with it seriously, either in terms of coursing, fox hunting, stag hunting or badger baiting or hunting, nor have we addressed the considerable cruelty attached to the manner in which it is done and the way the animal is treated both in the hunt and in the killing. We hear horrific stories every season. We must recognise that the animals involved are all wild animals, foxes, stags and badgers, and are hunted, not for human food but for human pleasure. That is what we must examine...Hunting for pleasure is unacceptable and the line must be drawn that, while there is commercial hunting, fishing and culling of wildlife, there should not be commercial or other forms of bloodsports where human beings not only chase animals but kill them, which is the normal outcome of the chase. It involves a considerable amount of cruelty, does not benefit anyone and does not redound to the well-being of or a sense of respect for animals which we should have. I urge the Minister to examine this issue seriously to see whether some movement can be made." (Speaking as a Senator in 16th November 2000).
Eamon Gilmore, TD (Labour, Dun Laoghaire):
"I am opposed to the blood sports of badger baiting, cock fighting, dog fighting, hare coursing and stag hunting. Democratic Left strongly believes in protecting our wildlife and we are very concerned about the cruelty and impact on the various species of so-called blood sports."
Eamon Gilmore voted against the ban on staghunting. However, speaking on the Marian Finucane radio show on October 2nd 2010, Mr Gilmore stated that the party "won't reverse the decision" and that they "will stick with the ban on staghunting", if his party gets into government after the election.
In September 2007, Eamon Gilmore called for a "suspension on coursing activities in the event that the hare survey indicates either a significant national decline in hare numbers or widespread localised disappearance of the species" (See Dail Question) and also urged the then Environment Minister to "withhold the issuing of a licence in 2007 under the Wildlife Act 1976 permitting stag hunting" (See Dail Question)
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.
Jan O'Sullivan, TD (Labour, Limerick City):
"I do not support blood sports."
Ruairí Quinn, TD (Labour, Dublin South East):
"I used to be a member of the Irish Council Against Blood Sports. Personally, I am against the hunting of live animals with dogs, i.e. fox hunting, live hare coursing and carted deer hunting."
Pat Rabbitte, TD (Labour, Dublin South West):
"I do not support bloodsports or hare coursing but I have no difficulty with age-old rural sports like fishing, shooting, etc within the terms prescribed by law."
Senator Ivana Bacik (Labour Party, Dun Laoghaire):
"I am asking you to refuse a licence to the Ward Union deer hunt," Senator Bacik stated in a letter to Environment Minister, John Gormley. "The Irish Council Against Blood Sports are mounting a campaign against this, which I support." (October 2007)
ICABS has thanked Senator Ivana Bacik for refusing to vote against a ban on the Ward Union. The Irish Times has reported that the Labour Party senator abstained in a Seanad vote on the Wildlife Amendment Bill. 01 July 2010. Read More
Senator Mary Moran (Labour Party):
"I can assure you I do not support blood sports and am happy to have my name included in the list to ban such cruel sports." from an email to ICABS, July 2015.
Senator John Whelan (Labour Party):
In August 2012, John Whelan condemned stag hunting as a "relic of our colonial past" and said it's "best to leave it where it is…consigned to history!!". He made the comment in response to a Journal.ie article outlining how hunters are seeking the return of the banned Ward Union staghunt. "Stag hunting does not have its roots or traditions in rural Ireland but is a throw-back to Mad King George and our colonial past," Senator Whelan stated. "It is not pursued, desired or missed by country people or rural Ireland but an elitist and cruel pursuit previously practised in one part of County Meath."
"Stag hunting has no basis in rural Irish tradition; cannot by any stretch of the imagination be seen to be representative of rural Ireland or the traditional lifestyle and activities enjoyed and cherished in rural Ireland," he added. "There is NO commitment by this Government to overturn the Ward Union Hunt ban and I for one would vigorously oppose any attempt to have stag hunting re-introduced to this country."
Cllr Breeda Bonner (Labour Party, South Dublin County Council)
"I am totally opposed to all forms of cruelty to animals and to Fox hunting, hare coursing and any blood sports." from an email to ICABS, April 2014.
Cllr Mick Duff (Labour Party, South Dublin County Council)
"I fully favour a complete ban on coursing and foxhunting" from a text message to ICABS, February 2015.
Cllr Martina Genockey (Labour Party, South Dublin County Council - Tallaght South)
"Absolutely [in favour of a ban on cruel hare coursing and foxhunting]. Very strong supporter of animal rights. I'm actually a vegetarian." from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Pamela Kearns (Labour Party, South Dublin County Council)
"I am against any cruelty to animals." from a text message to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Mary Freehill (Labour Party, Dublin City Council)
"I'm very much in favour of a ban on foxhunting and hare coursing. Hare coursing in particular is extremely cruel." from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Alison Gilliland (Labour Party, Dublin City Council)
"Yes [add me to list of Labour Party politicians in favour of a ban on bloodsports]. No animal should be hunted down or deliberately set upon in the name of sport or pleasure." from a tweet to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Jane Horgan-Jones (Labour Party, Dublin City Council)
"Yes [I am in favour of a ban on foxhunting and hare coursing]." from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Dermot Lacey (Labour Party, Dublin City Council)
"As a dog owner and animal lover generally I would be, and have been, supportive of typical animal rights issues over the years." from an email to ICABS, April 2014.
Cllr Rebecca Moynihan (Labour Party, Dublin City Council)
"Yes [add me to list of Labour Party politicians in favour of a ban on bloodsports]. I'm an animal lover." from a tweet to ICABS, June 2015.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
Cllr Richard Humphreys (Labour, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
"I am in favour of stronger legislation on animal cruelty, including prohibiting foxhunting and hare coursing." from an email to ICABS, April 2014. In November 2014, he voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a "problem" and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.
Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Labour, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
"I have the greatest respect for animals and oppose all cruelty." from an email to ICABS, April 2014. In November 2014, she voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a "problem" and which called for action to be taken to deal with them. "I couldn't support this motion if it meant culling foxes or killing foxes," she said.
Cllr Denis O Callaghan (Labour, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
"I am opposed to animal cruelty in the areas of fox-hunting and hare coursing." from an email to ICABS, April 2014. In November 2014, he voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a "problem" and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.
Cllr Carrie Smyth (Labour, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
"I do not like to see cruelty to animals." from an email to ICABS, April 2014.
Cllr Duncan Smith (Labour Party, Fingal County Council)
"I abhor the practice of hare coursing and foxhunting." from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Niall McNelis (Labour, Galway City Council)
"I support a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting" from a text message to ICABS, February 2015.
"You have my support on this [a ban on carted deer hunting] and I will be bringing this up with my party leader." (from an email to ICABS, 8th June 2010)
Cllr Anne Breen (Labour Party, Kildare County Council)
"I am very much against foxhunting and hare coursing...and would fully suport you stance." from a message to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Aoife Breslin (Labour Party, Kildare County Council)
"I can confirm that I am in favour of a ban on hare coursing and foxhunting." from a text message to ICABS, February 2015.
Cllr Kevin Byrne (Labour Party, Kildare County Council)
"I am completely against animal cruelty in any form." from an email to ICABS, April 2014.
Cllr Noel Tuohy (Labour Party, Laois County Council)
"I would be totally opposed [to fox hunting and hare coursing]" from a text to ICABS, July 2015.
Limerick City and County Council
Cllr Joe Leddin (Labour Party, Limerick City and County Council)
"Totally opposed to both [foxhunting and hare coursing]" from a text message to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Elena Secas (Labour Party, Limerick City and County Council)
"I think best way to lower incidences of animal cruelty & prevent it from happening is by highlighting it through the media. This will be a way of educating and explaining why certain practices are not acceptable in our modern and developed society." from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Robert Ireton (Labour Party, Wexford County Council)
"My views on hare coursing is that it should be banned. Any opportunity I get to voice my opinion on this, my reply is always the same and I have spoken about this on many occasions." (From an email to ICABS, 5th November 2013)
Videos: Ireland's cruel bloodsports and the humane altneratives
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