MICHAEL HEALY-RAE got into an argument with a radio presenter this morning on the issue of fox hunting ahead of a protest against the practice being held at Leinster House later. 

The Minister of State appeared on Newstalk Breakfast alongside ecologist and farmer Donna Mullen to debate a potential ban on fox hunting, but it wasn’t long before his frustration was directed at questioning by host Anton Savage. 

Responding to a question over whether there is a less cruel way to control the fox population than hunting with dogs, Healy-Rae gave a lengthy answer saying though he welcomes “people airing their opinions” he lives “by the democratic process”. 

Back in December, a bill to ban fox hunting was defeated in the Dáil.

“What part of legislation and legislation being voted on in the Dáil does Donna not understand? Because this matter in very, very recent times came before the Dáil.”

Savage interjected, urging Helay-Rae to answer the question, which caused the minister to respond:

“You asked me to come on the programme, I didn’t look to come on your programme at all.”

After some more back-and-forth the presenter once again asks Healy-Rae to answer the question over methods of controlling the fox population.

The TD then said: “God you’re in right bad humour this morning, you should have stayed at home rather than badgering a person on the radio.”

“I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to answer the question.”

Through his frustration, Healy-Rae continued emphasising that fox numbers have to be “controlled” but did not address methods to achieve this without hunting. 

“If we don’t have people who are out killing foxes and controlling their numbers, what you will have is you is a different type of disaster.”

During a heated moment, Healy Rae said he was asked on the programme. Alamy Alamy

Savage interjected again, reminding the minister that the question was about how to control this population in a manner that is “less damaging and less cruel”. 

This prompted another outburst from Healy-Rae: “I’m trying to answer, oh god almighty, you’re really down on me this morning.”

Savage quipped back: “Well you’re four minutes into it Michael, it’s a fair old run at it.”

“I’ve seen fields that have been torn asunder with the limbs of small, little baby lambs after being attacked by foxes”, Healy Rae said. 

Rephrasing the question Savage asked “is there a less painful, less harmful way on the fox to control the population?”

“Who said it’s painful in the first instance?” the TD asked.

“Dismemberment tends to be painful,” responds Savage. 

Mullen, who concurred with Savage that the Kerry TD was “refusing to answer” the question, chimed in with her solution: “You can shoot foxes and it’s an instant sudden death.” 

There is a protest at Leinster House from 12:30pm this afternoon calling for a ban on fox hunting led by Mullen’s group Rural Ireland Against Fox Hunting.