I then joined the so-called ‘extremists’ outside, many of whom I know are very committed, caring people who dislike the way many animals are treated in this country. How can we talk about animal welfare in one breath and in the next breath condone the mauling, tossing, injury of hares, terriers involved in a most cruel (even admitted as such by hunters) ‘digging out’ of foxes, snaring and shooting of badgers in the snare, leaving young badgers to die of starvation when other countries alternatives to the culling are being used effectively; fur farming; using large animals like tigers in circuses, illegal hunting, puppy farming.

Those are the causes the ‘extremists’ are highlighting and there was a really good attendance outside Dublin Caste. How come the hunting fraternity were invited and the Irish Council against Blood Sports were not? To be taken up with the Minister.