A bill to ban fox hunting in Ireland was defeated in the Dáil on Wednesday 17 December 2025.
The bill was defeated by a large margin of 124 votes to 24.
The proposed legislation was introduced by People Before Profit Solidarity Teachta Dála Ruth Coppinger.
Three of Ireland’s biggest parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin, opposed the bill, with the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon saying that hunting “operates under clear codes of conduct, licensing, welfare standards and full insurance requirements”.
Fox hunting with dogs was banned in England and Wales in 2004, although trail hunting remains legal. Hunting with dogs and trail hunting (unless training dogs for a lawful purpose) was banned in Scotland in 2002.
Fox hunting is legal in Northern Ireland, as well as other countries including Australia, Canada, France and the US.
