MInister John Gormley signing the END STAG HUNTING PETITION at Dail Eireann in the 90s.

now.....latest 20-12-07
Environment Minister John Gormley last night backed away from an outright ban on stag hunting.
The Green Party leader's decision to grant a restricted licence to the Ward Union Hunt proved controversial on both sides of the argument.
Mr Gormley denied he had caved in under legal pressure from the 150-year-old hunt, saying the licence issued has strict conditions meaning the actual pursuit of a stag by hounds is not permitted.
However, the move was only given a qualified welcome by both the hunt and anti-blood sports campaigners, with some pro and anti campaigners saying the restrictions would make the hunt "unworkable".
Mr Gormley, who had been minded to refuse the licence in the autumn, described the final decision as a "compromise in the best interest of the community" as he insisted he would not seek to ban stag hunting in future.
The hunt provoked widespread outrage in January when terrified children were forced to cower in classrooms when a frightened stag pursued by a pack of snarling hounds burst through the playground of the Central National School, Kildalkey, as the pupils were leaving.
The stag leapt over a wall into the grounds of the primary school, located in the middle of the village, followed by baying dogs.
The hunt described the incident as "very unfortunate," but insisted the stag was not bleeding and it was normal practice to release a stag then recapture it unhurt.
The permit issued by Mr Gormley allows the hunt to release a deer to lay a scent trail along the course of the hunt, but the deer must be recaptured before the hounds are released and the full hunt gets under way.
The Hunting Association of Ireland gave the move a "reserved welcome" but is seeking clarifications over how the restrictions will be enforced.
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports said it was hoping for a complete refusal of the licence by Mr Gormley.
But it welcomed the fact the licence issued is quite restricted and the deer will not be hunted by the dogs.
However, the council is concerned about a condition which states the deer will be driven by mounted riders "to an end point" to create a scent for the dogs to follow. The council believes this will stress the deer and pointed out it is an offence under the 1911 Protection of Animals Act to "over-drive" or "terrify" an animal.
The decision came as the Association of Hunt Saboteurs picketed Leinster House to protest at the practice of "digging out" foxes and throwing them to be eaten alive by packs of hounds.