Pat Deering has described as invalid, claims by animal rights activists that hare coursing represents cruelty to animals.
The Carlow TD was speaking to KCLR following a bill proposed to the Dáil yesterday by independent TD Maureen O Sullivan that sought to ban the activity.
Deputy Deering was one of 114 TDs who voted against the bill which was easily defeated and he told KCLR that legislation protecting animals is already strong enough.