As indications come from Westminster that repeal is off the table for the coalition Government, similar news is received in the Republic of Ireland where Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny (Fine Gael) has officially ruled out any reversal of the ban on stag hunting.
Despite Fine Gael’s manifesto promise to repeal the previous Government's ban and an impromptu declaration by Junior Minister Shane McEntee that the stag hunting ban would be reversed “shortly” recent speculation and rumour have been silenced with this statement from the Taoiseach.
"There is no such commitment (to repeal the stag hunting ban) in the Programme for Government. He (Mr Kenny) would not resile from what's in the Programme for Government. There is no commitment."
The Junior Minister was also hung out to dry by a statement provided to the Irish Independent. Shane McEntee’s outburst was explained as merely expressing "an opinion" and there is "no commitment" to reverse the ban.
There is only one stag hunt in the Republic of Ireland, the ‘Ward Union Stag Hunt’ which curiously just so happens to operate in Shane McEntee’s constituency...
These recent statements from the Taoiseach reflect the sentiment in Ireland to resign this type of cruelty firmly to the history books. The Irish people do not want to see the Ward Union Stag Hunt operational and it seems the only people left publically defending their actions are those with a vested interest.