Danny Healy-Rae Opposes Proposal on Fox Control
Danny Healy-Rae opposed a proposal by Deputy Coventure related to fox control, arguing that rising fox numbers have caused severe lamb and poultry losses for rural farmers in Kerry. He defended legal gun clubs that cull foxes, called for a vote on the motion, and noted parliamentary clerks said private members' business will not be opposed at first stage.
Healy-Rae opened by challenging the motion presented by Deputy Coventure and said he was surprised she expected no opposition. He said he had received messages from "every corner of Kerry" urging him to stop what is being attempted.
Healy-Rae described sharp losses to lambs and poultry, citing his son's flock that lost about a third of lambs this year and a local man who lost 11 of 12 hens to a fox. He warned hill farmers in South Kerry depend on lamb production after a year of feeding the animals.
Healy-Rae said fox numbers have increased dramatically and that foxes are appearing in towns and villages, rifling bins and moving everywhere. He argued the animals have "taken over" many rural areas.
Healy-Rae praised respectable gun clubs and legal shooters who assist farmers with fox control, saying they operate legally, above board and to a high standard. He said he stands with those groups and saluted their contribution to protecting livestock.
Healy-Rae concluded by opposing the motion and calling for a vote. A clerk replied that, as with other private members' business, the bill would not be opposed at first stage and that the government would consider the matter if the bill is listed for second stage.
Opposition to the proposal
Healy-Rae opened by challenging the motion presented by Deputy Coventure and said he was surprised she expected no opposition. He said he had received messages from "every corner of Kerry" urging him to stop what is being attempted.
Impact on farmers and livestock
Healy-Rae described sharp losses to lambs and poultry, citing his son's flock that lost about a third of lambs this year and a local man who lost 11 of 12 hens to a fox. He warned hill farmers in South Kerry depend on lamb production after a year of feeding the animals.
Concerns about fox numbers and behaviour
Healy-Rae said fox numbers have increased dramatically and that foxes are appearing in towns and villages, rifling bins and moving everywhere. He argued the animals have "taken over" many rural areas.
Support for legal gun clubs and shooters
Healy-Rae praised respectable gun clubs and legal shooters who assist farmers with fox control, saying they operate legally, above board and to a high standard. He said he stands with those groups and saluted their contribution to protecting livestock.
Parliamentary procedure and vote
Healy-Rae concluded by opposing the motion and calling for a vote. A clerk replied that, as with other private members' business, the bill would not be opposed at first stage and that the government would consider the matter if the bill is listed for second stage.
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Transcript
Thank you very much. I'm glad to get the opportunity to oppose this proposal by Deputy Coventure and she said she was amazed that anyone would stand up and talk against this proposal. I have to tell you, Kjong Korle, that from every corner of Kerry, people have ranks and emails and all kinds of messages to ensure that we stop this where it's being tried to start. Because every one of us know that living in rural Ireland and rural parts of Ireland, we know that the damage that the fox has done and is doing and the numbers have increased to a massive amount altogether. And indeed, one of my sons had lambs and he would, they tried their very best and all the farmers around them, they practically have a third of their lambs taken this year. And the man at the top of the pike hill the other day that came to me with his story, he had 12 hins. And when he went out one evening, there was only a wound there. The fox took 11 of them. And I don't know if Deputy Coventure really knows the consequences of her motion here. And the fact that the foxes, the numbers have increased dramatically. They're all over the place. They're coming into towns and villages. They're in and out of bins. And they're everywhere. They've taken over, they've gone completely, taken over the place. And then I have to say for the respectable gun clubs that do the fox hunting and do the farmers a favour and who operate legally, they have legally held guns and they do it all above board. They haven't been doing it traditionally back over the years. And they operate to the highest standard. To those people, I salute them and I stand with them here today. And I'm asking the government to consider what's happening here because you're independent farmers for a lot of your votes around the country and especially the hill farmers down in South Kerry who depend on the lamb for their produce after feeding them for the year. I certainly am opposing this motion and I'm calling a vote. Thank you, Deputy. Thank you. Just a second, please, the members. Sorry, Chief. Could I have a quick word? A quick word. In order to be helpful, deputies, as is normally the case with private members' business, the bill will not be opposed at first stage. That is the process. If and when the bill is listed for second stage, like all other private member business, the government will then consider the matter at that point.