A sustained outburst by pro-bloodsports politician Micheal Healy Rae forced the suspension of Dáil Éireann on Tuesday.
Healy-Rae’s disgraceful fit of anger came after a speech, “on behalf of [gun] clubs” in which he challenged the government’s suspension of the pheasant shooting season. His view that halting the hunters who enjoy blasting birds from the sky was “a nonsensical decision” prompted Taoiseach Micheal Martin to observe that the Kerry TD was “against every restriction from the get go”.
“You are not playing your fair share on this,” the Taoiseach told him. “You stand up here every week objecting to this, that and the other.”
Michael Healy Rae repeatedly demanded that the Taoiseach withdraw the comment.
Earlier the Independent TD - in the past branded “an experienced hunter of game birds and foxes” - asked “how could anyone say that there is anything prejudicial to anyone's health or safety by going out shooting?”
The Taoiseach told him that ”this entire issue is around moving to Level 5 and Level 5 means reducing congregation and reducing travelling outside 5 km for anything.”
Micheal Healy Rae’s pro-bloodsports brother, Danny, claimed that the shooters are staying within 5km, to which the Taoiseach responded: “How does the Deputy know they are staying within 5km?”
The Fianna Fáil leader later added: “We are advised by NPHET in relation to level 5. The restrictions apply to a whole range of sectors and groups. It is difficult for people but if you concede one, you concede two, three, four, five, six and then you have no level 5 and we don’t get the numbers down to where we want. It is not something we want to do but the numbers are down.”
Addressing Danny Healy Rae, who was also shouting, he sarcastically remarked: “Deputy Danny Healy-Rae knows everything about climate change, he knows everything about public health and he just has an abiding antipathy towards experts or people who offer advice. I think it is unfair. You’re just playing the game all the time.”
As Michael Healy Rae continued shouting and pounding his fist, Leas Cheann Chomhairle Catherine Connolly asked if he would “please sit down and show a little respect” and take his seat “out of respect for the seat of democracy”. When he refused to comply and continued ranting, she suspended the Dáil.
As well as wasting Dáil time on lobbying for pheasant shooters during the pandemic, Healy Rae has also been pushing for cruel hare coursing to resume. In a nonsensical speech on 22 October, he called for coursing to be exempt from level 5 restrictions. “What is the difference between this activity [coursing] and, for instance, horse racing?” he asked. “There is no difference whatsoever.”
In September, he was criticised for renewing a call for a major cull of protected Irish seals.
ACTION ALERT
If you are in the Kerry constituency, contact Michael and Danny Healy Rae and tell them to end their shameful support of bloodsports.
Michael Healy-Rae TD
Tel: (01) 618 3363
Email: Michael.HealyRae@oireachtas.ie
Twitter: @MHealyRae
Danny Healy-Rae TD
Tel: (01) 618 4070
Email: danny.healy-rae@oireachtas.ie
If you are aware of any hare coursing, fox hunting or pheasant shooting taking place in your area, contact the local Gardai and ask them to take action - find contact details at www.garda.ie/e...