THE Dáil has voted to pass the first stage of a piece of legislation seeking to ban fox hunting, however the Government is expected to oppose the Bill when it comes before the Dáil again.

The Animal Health and Welfare Bill was proposed by People Before Profit-Solidarity TDs Ruth Coppinger and Paul Murphy. The vote on Wednesday was called by Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Collins of Independent Ireland, who oppose the bill, with 113 TDs voting in favour and 49 against.