THE GOVERNMENT has published its proposed legislation to ban stag hunting, an activity that was described as unacceptable to most Irish people by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.

Increased penalties for breaches of the law are contained in the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010, which will prohibit deer-hunting with packs of dogs. Fines for offences will be doubled from current rates.

“The Government has decided that this particular hunting practice should cease for animal welfare and public safety reasons,” Mr Gormley said. “I want to emphasise, despite much comment to the contrary, that this legislation will have no implications for other country pursuits such as fox hunting, hare-hunting, hare coursing or deer stalking.”

The Minister said he hoped the proposed legislation would be enacted before the Dáil breaks for the summer. Maximum fines for wildlife-related offences are being increased from €500 to €1,000 for a first offence, from €1,000 to €2,000 for a second offence, and from €1,500 to €5,000 for a third or subsequent offence.

The maximum fine for conviction on indictment will be increased to €100,000.

The changes represent the first time financial penalties will be increased in a decade, having been last amended in 2000. There will be no changes in maximum times of imprisonment terms.

The pro-hunting group Rural Ireland Says Enough (Rise!) claimed Mr Gormley’s stated reasons for introducing the Bill did not stand up to scrutiny.