Hares and Snares
MLAs have spent much of the day discussing a Wildlife Bill. The politicians have been debating the merits of extending extra protections to species such as the Irish hare, the curlew and even basking sharks.
Right now they are talking about snaring - the Environment Committee chair Cathal Boylan supports a complete ban, whilst the minister, Edwin Poots, is backing regulation.
The DUP's Jim Wells is no fan of snaring but launched an attack on Mr Boylan, claiming Sinn Fein had double standards as they were prevented from opposing hare coursing because of the views of some of their compatriots in the south west of Ireland, including Martin Ferris.
Peter Weir spoke vividly about the cruelty of hare coursing, suggesting at one stage that Mr Boylan and the DUP's Jonathan Bell (who had spoken supportively) should be left on their own in the chamber with two large dogs in order to see which one made it to the door first. He quipped that this could be a cross community form of the sport.
The debate is still continuing - I shall keep you posted on the outcome.
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