A number of men who have known links with the animal rights movement in Britain have been questioned by garda∅ following their arrival in Dublin earlier this week.
The authorities had been alerted to the arrival of the men by field sports activists who had been informed by colleagues in Britain that the men planned to visit the Republic ahead of the opening of the hunting season.
Fox-hunting and other field sports have been suspended in Britain since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease last February and are unlikely to resume this year.
Supporters of hunting in Britain claim that they have been warned by hunt saboteurs and animal rights groups that they would, if necessary, reintroduce foot-and-mouth disease to areas of Britain which have been declared officially clear of the disease.
The aim would be to ensure that hunting in Britain could not resume.
In April, the police in Britain investigated reports that elements of the animal rights movement had been spreading the disease to ensure that field sports, including fishing which they also oppose, could not resume.
The Britons were located in Dublin earlier this week and according to Garda sources, were questioned about the purpose of their visit. They were released without charge.
They are due to return to Britain at the end of the week.
Department of Agriculture sources indicated that the Garda had been in contact with them during the course of the investigation.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Mr Walsh, announced some weeks ago that hunting could resume subject to tight protocols being enforced and with the consent of landowners.
However, hunters from Britain will not be allowed to take part in hunting here.
The Department of Agriculture has the right under regulations aimed at preventing a recurrence of foot-and-mouth to ban anyone from an infected area entering the country.