Bill was defeated at Stage 2.
About the Bill
Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill 2025 (Bill 30 of 2025)
- Bill entitled an Act to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to ban the hunting of a fox or foxes; and to provide for related matters.
- Bill Sponsors: Ruth Coppinger TD, Paul Murphy TD
- Follow the bill through the Oireachtas stages.
Proposed Amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013
Amendment of Section 12 of Act of 2013
The Act of 2013 is amended, in section 12, by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (9):
“(10) A person shall not—
(a) hunt a fox, or foxes, including with a canine or canines,
(b) use a canine or canines to flush or dig out a fox, or foxes, from
below ground,
(c) trap or snare a fox, or foxes, in order to kill the fox, or foxes,
(d) engage in trail hunting.”
What is Section 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013?
Section 12 of the AHWA relates to the Prohibition of Animal Cruelty.
17 December 2025 – Stage 2 of the Bill
Private Members’ Business (Independent and Parties Technical Group):
Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill 2025 (Second Stage)
On Second Stage, the general principles of the Bill are debated. Second Stage of a Bill is a debate on the motion “That the Bill be now read a Second Time” and provides Members with an opportunity to discuss the general principles of the Bill, what the Bill contains and what might be included in a relevant way.
What Was the Outcome of Stage 2?
The Bill was defeated and will not proceed to Stage 3.
Read the debate: 17 December 2025.
How Did Deputies Vote?
View who voted Yes (Tá) and who voted No (Níl) on the Bill
27 May 2025 – Stage 1 of the Bill
Debate and Vote
Why did Sinn Féin vote against the bill in Stage 1?
Deputy Ruth Coppinger introduced the Bill on Tuesday, 27th May at 1st stage. At the end of 1ststage, a vote was called by a number of Deputies opposing the Bill going to 2nd stage. Sinn Féin did not seek or call this vote.
However, once a vote was called the party took the decision to oppose the Bill as it is not in line with party policy. As a party we are bound by the policy position our members take at the Ard Fheis and we took the first opportunity available to us to articulate this.
We did so in full knowledge that the Bill wouldproceed to 2nd stage, and where a full debate will take place on the legislation.
Sinn Féin will participate in this debate and we look forward to outlining our position on Animal Health and Welfare, because we are committed to achieving the highest standards in animal welfare and an end to animal cruelty.
We believe that Deputy Coppinger’s bill which proposes an outright ban would drive fox hunting further underground and instead it should be strongly regulated.
We propose the Minister establish a commission of experts – including stakeholders from animal welfare and rural pursuits organisations – to examine and recommend appropriate regulations.
Sinn Féin also acknowledges the invaluable contributions of animal welfare charities to the care and protection of vulnerable animals. Government funding should be increased for these charities, to support their crucial work in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals.
Sinn Féin believe more robust penalties for animal abuse and neglect must be introduced, including increased fines and the possibility of imprisonment for serious offences.
Máire Devine, TD, Sinn Féin
Important: If you want to see a ban on fox hunting, contact your local TDs to ask them to support the bill.
Ask Sinn Féin representatives to allow a free vote in Stage 2 before 10am 17th December 2025.
29 May 2025: Press release from Ruth Coppinger, Solidarity TD
Ruth Coppinger TD, (People Before Profit-Solidarity) is calling on parties to allow a free vote on a Bill she is moving to ban fox hunting.
“Parties allowed free votes before on a number of issues such as repeal and more recently on assisted dying in October 2024.
“Having a free conscience vote would allow TDs to vote in line with the majority of people (77%) who want fox hunting banned, without parties being pressured by small but powerful lobby groups.
“Following a vote last night in the Dail where TDs from Independent Ireland, Sinn Fein and Aontu – as well as independent TDs Danny Healy Rae, Carol Nolan, Mattie Mc Grath and Brian Stanley – voted against allowing the Bill move forward for second stage debate, it is clear how unhappy many individual TDs are on this issue.
“I know there are individual TDs who were whipped into voting against my Bill progressing who are opposed to fox hunting and blood sports. Parties need to be urged to let them vote freely.
“A campaign of education and lobbying by animal and wildlife lovers will now begin up to second stage of the Bill. Foxes are a native species, part of our biodiversity and Ireland is now 20 years behind most countries in outlawing fox hunting.”
Ends
For information:
Ruth Coppinger TD
