Fianna Fáil resignation over stag ban

A long-serving Fianna Fáil figure has resigned as secretary of a local cumann in protest over the introduction of the stag hunting ban.
Sean Collins, secretary of the Kilmurry Fianna Fáil Cumann, who has held the position for over 25 years, resigned after the Government passed the Wildlife Bill on Tuesday.
Mr Collins joined the Fianna Fáil Cumann in Kilmurry in 1970 and has been voting Fianna Fáil for over 40 years, with five generations supporting the party before him. He has also canvassed for deputies Timmy Dooley and Tony Killeen.
“I’ve been involved in hunting and the Clare Hunt since 1966 and I’ve a daughter and she’s full time involved in horses and this will have a knock-on effect in the rural community.
“I don’t think we can allow a small party like the Green Party dictate to us what we should and should not be doing in the county; they are dictating how we should survive in the rural countryside. It is on that issue that I have to take a stand but it is with regret that I stand down. I have got a lot of representation here from local people to try and do something for them; they said ‘you’re a long time involved with it and we shouldn’t let this happen’. This bill is going to have more repercussions down the line, it will affect hunting, coursing, the whole lot,” Mr Collins claimed.
He said prior to the Government vote on the Bill, the Killmurry cumann had made representations to both Minister for Defence Tony Killeen and Deputy Timmy Dooley. He said these representations “fell on deaf ears”.
“They told me it was in the programme for Government and that they had to go along with it. I said ‘no, ye have to make a stand on that’. I told them that if they didn’t vote against it or abstain that I had no alternative but to resign my position. I rang the chairman of the Clare cumann to give notice of my resignation.
“I won’t be voting for them in the next election. After 41 years of voting for the party, it is disappointing. I have lost faith in the party. Now it’s about trying to look to someone else to represent you. There are also other members in the cumann considering their position. This Bill should never have been brought in. Fianna Fáil should never have agreed to John Gormley’s agreement,” Mr Collins continued.
He explained he has been hunting since 1966, particularly with the Clare Hunt, becoming a whipper-in with the hounds in the 1980s. He was also involved in the setting up of kennels in Bodyke and was presented with a green jacket in 1982.
“It’s my life. I’m a farmer and it’s our only social outing. If that goes we’re devastated completely and it’s going to happen. The coursing people have been on to us as well and if this new Bill next week comes in, their livelihood will be ruined as well,” Mr Collins continued. 
He criticised the Clare deputies for not taking a stand on Tuesday and for their failure to represent the people, as he saw it.
“I canvassed with them during the last election and I spent a lot of time on the road with Timmy. He had his base in Kilmurry so we facilitated him here big time. All he had to do was to abstain on our behalf; he is representing the rural community. He just said he had to go with the programme for Government,” Mr Collins concluded.
Commenting on Mr Collins’ resignation, Deputy Timmy Dooley said, “I very much regret that he has resigned from the party on this issue. He is a good friend of mine and he has been a loyal supporter of the party for many years. The facts remain that the passage of the Wildlife Bill will outlaw stag hunting. There is only one such hunt in Ireland and that is by the Ward Union in Meath.
“There has been an effort made by some people involved with this hunt to suggest that other rural pursuits are in jeopardy. This is erroneous and has been introduced mischievously. There is nothing in this legislation that can in any way impact on greyhound racing, hare coursing, fox hunting, fishing or shooting.
“I would not and will not support any legislation that would seek to ban any of these pursuits, which are an integral part of the fabric of rural life. In essence, the passage of the Wildlife Bill will have no impact on County Clare in any shape or form. I can understand Sean’s issues. I feel I’ve looked after the interests of the people of County Clare.”
Minister Tony Killeen commented, “Membership of the Fianna Fáil party is entirely voluntary. Those of us who are elected are grateful to all cumann members and officers for the help and support they provide us, particularly at election time. We are in a coalition Government and operate under the agreed terms of the Programme for Government.”