THE Dáil has voted against a Bill that sought to ban fox hunting in Ireland. The proposed legislation was brought forward by Ruth Coppinger TD (People Before Profit-Solidarity) and aimed to prohibit the hunting of foxes with hounds and related practices, citing animal welfare concerns.

During the debate at Leinster House on Wednesday, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, confirmed the Government opposed the Bill. He noted that foxes were not a protected species under Irish law and that fox control was already regulated through licensing, codes of practice and animal welfare legislation.