Time running out for NI Hunting with Dogs Bill

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly has issued a stark warning that could derail John Blair MLA’s controversial Hunting with Dogs Bill – stating it is “highly unlikely” that many private members’ bills will progress before the next election.

In a letter to all MLAs, Speaker Edwin Poots cited growing pressure on Assembly time and scrutiny resources, with around two dozen private members’ bill proposals submitted and less than 18 months remaining in the current mandate. He warned that fewer than half of these are likely to advance.

Mr Poots cautioned that bills failing to reach committee stage before summer 2026 face “heavily reduced” chances of progressing. “Executive business takes priority in any legislature,” he said, adding that he will not risk passing flawed legislation by “short‑circuiting the scrutiny process.”

The timing presents significant challenges for Blair’s Bill, which seeks to ban hunting wild mammals with dogs. The legislation has already faced criticism over its consultation process – with more than 60% of respondents living outside Northern Ireland and only 0.25% of the local population engaging.

Countryside Alliance Ireland’s Gary McCartney commented: “The Speaker is absolutely right to demand a rigorous process. If that means this Bill cannot progress in this mandate, then that is democracy functioning as it should.”

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