TD Ruth Coppinger Voices Anger as Overwhelming Majority of Dáil Vote Against Ban on Hare Coursing - 09/07/2026

The Dáil has voted overwhelmingly against legislation that would have banned hare coursing, with the proposed bill defeated by 125 votes to 24.The People Before Profit bill, which was backed by the Social Democrats, Labour and the Green Party, sought to outlaw the practice, arguing that it causes unnecessary suffering to hares, despite greyhounds being muzzled. Supporters of the ban also point out that hares are a protected species under Irish law and that Ireland remains one of the few countries in the European Union where hare coursing is still legal.However, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin voted against the bill, meaning the practice will continue.People Before Profit Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger, who has been one of the most outspoken advocates for banning hare coursing, joined us on The Agenda this morning to give us her reaction to this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.