Arts, Sport and Leisure
Arts, Sport and Leisure
66. Without prejudice to the party’s continued position of opposition to cruel farming practices, unnecessary and cruel animal testing, and the unnecessary infliction of cruelty to animals, especially for the purposes of entertainment, this Ard Fheis:
- affirms its support for traditional rural activities including hunting and fishing and acknowledges the value that such activities bring to local rural economies.
- believes that the banning of hare coursing would drive it underground and remove current regulations, which are essential to protect the animals involved.
Therefore we oppose such an outright ban.
North Kerry Comhairle Ceantair
Vols Ahern/Crowley Cumann, Cork
Laois/Offaly Comhairle Ceantair
PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS - Amended Motion below
AMENDMENT TO MOTION 66
66. Without prejudice to the party’s continued position of opposition to cruel farming and animal harvesting practices, unnecessary and cruel animal testing, and the infliction of cruelty to animals – especially for the purposes of entertainment – this Ard Fheis:
- Acknowledges the support in rural Ireland for traditional rural occupations including hunting, fishing, and hare coursing.
- Acknowledges the value that these pursuits bring to local rural economies, and the potential economic damage posed by an outright ban.
- Believes that hunting and fishing should continue to be regulated in the interests of sustainable wildlife management.
- Believes that Irish hare coursing practices should be regulated to ensure sustainable wildlife management and to minimise unnecessary suffering to the animals involved.
- Believes that the banning of hare coursing would drive it underground and remove current regulations, which are essential to protect the animals involved. Therefore we oppose such an outright ban.
- Affirms that it continues to oppose ‘bloodsports’, by which it means dog fighting, badger baiting, cock fighting and bull fighting.
Ard Chomhairle
67. MOTION WITHDRAWN
68. This Ard Fheis declares Sinn Féin’s continued position of opposition to cruel farming practices, unnecessary and cruel animal testing, and the unnecessary infliction of cruelty to animals, especially for the purposes of entertainment. We also affirm our continued opposition to the bloodsports of dog fighting and badger baiting.
This Ard Fheis also recognises the deeply held personal views, on both sides, on issues such as hare coursing and hunting. In view of this and acknowledging that it is unfair to ask representatives to sign up to a position which is contrary to these personal views, this Ard Fheis hereby entitles representatives to hold their own views on this subject and to vote in line with these if the issue is subject to a vote in a democratic forum. Party members will be entitled to seek the views of potential candidates at convention if it is an issue they feel strongly about.
Monaghan Comhairle Ceantair
LOST
69. This Ard Fheis recognises the important role that rural sports have in Ireland, and calls for the party to clarify in a policy document our position regarding hunting and fishing.
Costello/Hurson Cumann, Athlone
PASSED