The Green Party has attempted to bring forward legislation to ban fur farming in Ireland.
The ban would bring us in line with Northern Ireland and Britain.
There are currently six mink farms and at least two fox farms operating in the Republic.
Animal rights campaigners have said the animals lead a life of deprivation before being slaughtered by gas or electric shock.
Angela McCarthy from the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has said there is currently no way to regulate the industry.
"Fox farming doesn't currently require a licence. It is something that not a whole lot is known about.
"Mink farming does require a licence because there is a responsibility on mink farmers not allow escapes, but licensing does not involve very much of the welfare of the animals and in fact it is impossible to legislate for the welfare and conditions of these animals.”