|
Tom
Hayes, the Fine Gael TD for Tipperary South, has admitted that
he loves coursing and hare hunting. The admission came during
the recent Dail debate on fur farming in Ireland.
"I attended six coursing meetings in the past few months
and I did not see one hare killed," claimed the Deputy Spokesperson
on the Environment with Special Responsibility for Heritage &
Rural Affairs. "I love what is good in rural Ireland, whether
it is coursing, hunting hares, beagling or whatever, and I believe
there is a strong agenda to stop those sports."
"I represent a constituency that is proud of its heritage
in the coursing and animal welfare world," he added. "I
welcome the opportunity to make these brief comments because I
speak on behalf of many people who love rural Ireland, the sports
we stand for and, above all, who love the animals and the land
of Ireland."
ICABS has written to the Fine Gael Head Office to complain about
the comments made by Deputy Hayes. Pointing out that party leader,
Enda Kenny, is opposed to hare coursing, we asked for clarification
on the party's official policy on hare coursing and all blood
sports.
Other Tipperary TDs on record as being in favour of hare coursing
are Maire Hoctor and Noel Davern - both Fianna Fail representatives.
ACTION
ITEM:
Please
write to Fine Gael Head Office and express your disgust at Tom
Hayes' offensive comments about coursing. Remind the party that
eight in ten Irish people want coursing banned and ask for clarification
on the current party policy on blood sports.
Contact
Details:
Fine
Gael
51 Upper Mount Street
Dublin 2
Tel: 01 619 8444
Fax: 01 662 5046 OR 01 662 7648
Email: finegael@finegael.com
Website: www.finegael.ie
|