POLITICAL FOCUS: Pro-bloodsports TD Brendan Griffin (Fine Gael, Kerry) who, in two Dáil questions last week, questioned the Minister for Heritage and Minister for Agriculture about hare coursing which has been halted under Level 5 restrictions.
In his 5th November Dáil Question, Deputy Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture "his plans in relation to an issue [related to hare coursing] and if he will make a statement on the matter." The Minister told him: "My Department is not responsible for licensing or attendance at coursing events. It is a matter for the licensing authority and the Department of Health as to the current arrangements for coursing events and their compliance with public health guidelines".
In a 3rd November Dáil Question, he asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government "if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding coursing".
Last year, he was among the TDs pushing for a suspension of hare coursing to be lifted, despite the identification of the deadly and highly contagious RHD2 virus which threatens the future of the Irish Hare species. Coursing activities increase the risk of the disease spreading.
In 2013 and 2016 he shamefully voted against a ban on hare coursing. He also voted against proposed amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw some of Ireland’s worst acts of cruelty to animals – foxhunting, digging-out, terrierwork, ferreting, badger culling and fur farming.
Since 2016, he has voted in favour of €244 million in state grants to horse and greyhound racing.
On 30th July 2020, he asked the Minister for Agriculture about “the justification for [an unspecified] decision and if this matter will be reviewed as a matter of urgency”. The Dáil Question related to the “greyhound industry” and is believed to have been linked to a decision by the Irish Greyhound Board to reduce monthly race meetings at Tralee greyhound track from 16 to 13 - a move described by The Kerryman as “a major blow” to Kerry greyhound racing.
ACTION ALERT
Urge Brendan Griffin TD to reconsider his stance on animal cruelty issues. At the next general election, reject candidates who support animal cruelty.
Brendan Griffin TD
Tel: (01) 618 4480
Email: Brendan.Griffin@oireachtas.ie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BGriffinTD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendan.griffin.5074
Contact Fine Gael and party leader Leo Varadkar and urge them to respect the wishes of the majority of Irish citizens who want hare coursing and foxhunting banned and funding to cruel greyhound racing stopped.
Fine Gael Headquarters
51 Upper Mount Street
Dublin 2
Tel: 01-619 8444
Email: finegael@finegael.ie
Leo Varadkar TD
Leader, Fine Gael
Telephone: +353 (0)1-704 3630 OR +353 (0)1-640 3133
Email: leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie
Tweet to: http://www.twitter.com/@LeoVaradkar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar
Please support our campaign with a donation
https://www.paypal.me/banbloodsports
MORE INFORMATION: Brendan Griffin TD and animal cruelty issues
In June 2016, Brendan Griffin was among the 114 TDs who voted against Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan’s bill which sought to ban cruel hare coursing.
In 2016, 2017 and 2018, voted in favour of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations which granted €80 million/€80 million/€84 million of taxpayers’ money to horse and greyhound racing.
In March 2013, Brendan Griffin TD voted against amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to secure a ban on some of Ireland’s worst acts of cruelty to animals – foxhunting, hare coursing, digging out, terrierwork, ferreting, badger culling, fur farming and the use of animals in circuses.
According to a July 2012 Irish Examiner report, Brendan Griffin was part of a 14-man syndicate of Fine Gael TDs who “stumped up €250 each for a share in [greyhound] Swift Starlet after the 17-month-old bitch showed impressive form at recent trials.” The Irish Greyhound Board website shows that Swift Starlet was entered into 65 races between July 2012 and August 2014 and won 7. The total prize money is listed at €2,179. Her last race was at Mullingar greyhound track on 30th August 2014 when she came last. What happened to her after that remains unknown.
Junior Tourism Minister Brendan Griffin said the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) has put a “compelling case”. “I want to see the department and the minister giving every consideration to the scientific facts being put forward by the ICC,” he told the Irish Independent. from Ministers clash over the ban on hare coursing, Irish Independent, October 8 2019.
In a 5th November 2020 Dail Question, Brendan Griffin TD asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine "his plans in relation to an issue [related to hare coursing] and if he will make a statement on the matter." The Minister told him: "My Department is not responsible for licensing or attendance at coursing events. It is a matter for the licensing authority and the Department of Health as to the current arrangements for coursing events and their compliance with public health guidelines".
In a 3rd November 2020 Dail Question, Brendan Griffin TD asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government "if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding coursing".