"Comparison Between Hares and Domesticated Pets is Nonsense", Fianna Fáil TD Tells LMFM Ahead of Hare Coursing Ban Motion - 06/07/2026

TDs clashed in the Dáil last week over the Government's decision to oppose legislation that would ban hare coursing. A bill brought forward by Deputy Paul Murphy from People Before Profit seeks to outlaw the practice, arguing that it causes unnecessary suffering to a protected wild species. While the Social Democrats, Labour and the Green Party have backed the proposal, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have opposed it ahead of a vote due this week.Hare coursing remains legal in Ireland despite hares being a protected species under the Wildlife Act, making Ireland one of only a handful of countries in Europe where the practice is still permitted. Defending the Government's position, Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins said animal welfare is of the "utmost importance", rejected claims that coursing supporters are being "demonised", and dismissed comparisons between hares and domesticated pets as "nonsense". Deputy Niall Collins joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss this some more… We were also joined by Deputy Paul Murphy, who is bringing forward the motion to ban hare coursing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.