asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he intends to introduce legislation to ban hare coursing; and if he will give details of the Government's policy on this matter.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.

The Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, provides for the control of coursing by the Irish Coursing Club, which operates under the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, and is responsible for enforcing the rules for the proper conduct of coursing meetings and for the protection of hares.

Would the Minister agree that many people regard hare coursing as an offensive, obscene and particularly primitive sporting activity? Due to the cruel nature of hare coursing in the context of the manner in which many of the hares die, would he consider investigating the matter and amending legislation to deal with this matter?

It is a matter which causes me concern. I have reservations about the whole aspect of coursing. I am assured by the Hare Coursing Club that they are taking every possible measure to ensure that there is no undue cruelty. Nevertheless, as the Deputy has stated, there is very great concern among people here and in other countries about the element of cruelty involved. I will certainly be looking into that matter in the months ahead, to see if the whole situation can be improved.

I welcome the Minister's statement. Could I urge him to consider introducing legislation to ban live hare coursing? I suggest that the Minister would agree that hare coursing is as primitive a sport as bull-fighting and cock-fighting, both of which are prohibited under our legislation. Would the Minister not agree in the light of the growing problem, which was recently publicised, of young people being cruel to animals——

This is a very long question.

——and behaving badly towards them that live hare coursing is a bad example to many young people?

The Deputy should conclude.

Will the Minister look at this as a matter of urgency?

I do not want to give the Deputy the impression that I have any plans to abolish or restrict coursing. However, I am concerned that there may be undue cruelty and if I can be of assistance in getting rid of that I will attend to it.

Is the Deputy who put down this question serious? Is he suggesting that we should do away with open coursing or the coursing of hares? I do not see anything cruel in it.

A question, please, Deputy.

I do not see any need to ban it.

Discuss it with the hares.

Would the Deputy know the difference between a hare and a rabbit? I do not think he was serious when he put down this question to do away with open coursing or the coursing of hares.

Would the Minister agree that the breeding and rearing of greyhounds is an important industry in rural Ireland? I hope the Minister is aware of this. Small farmers need this kind of industry because of cutbacks, bad weather and so on to supplement their incomes. The Irish Coursing Club who are under the control of Bord na gCon exercise stringent rules in relation to coursing. Would the Minister agree that those who speak mainly about the banning of coursing are members of the anti-blood sports group and are a tiny minority?

The Deputy should conclude his speech at this stage.

They are a crowd of cranks and do-gooders.

Is the Deputy in favour of blood sports?

I am concerned in case there is undue cruelty involved. I am satisfied the Irish Coursing Club are doing a good job in trying to eliminate undue cruelty. I am keeping the matter under review.

Does the Minister think the anti-blood sports group are a crowd of cranks?