Rules 2025 | IhutranfersNR

IRISH HOMING PIGEON UNION

The name of the Union shall be ‘The Irish Homing Pigeon Union’

In the construction and application of these rules, unless the context requires different meaning:

The ‘Union’ means the Irish Homing Pigeon Union.

‘Affiliated Society’ means any club, society, federation, combine or regional organisation of such bodies formed for the promotion of pigeon racing and/or showing affiliated to the Union in accordance with these rules.

‘Supreme Council’ means the Supreme Council of the Union as hereafter described.

‘Councillor’ means a member of the Supreme Council.

‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Union.

THE OBJECTS

The objects for which the Union is established are:

(a) The regulation of the sport of pigeon racing and showing homing pigeons and all matters connected with the sport in Ireland.

(b) The improvement of the homing pigeon by awards to the owners of the birds.

(c) The promotion and protection of the interests of members of the Union in all matters connected with the sport in Ireland.

(d) The provision of a Supreme Council for the determination, management and disputes within the membership of the Union and in accordance with the Rules of the Union.

(e) The exhibition of homing pigeons’ apparatus, food and other matters connected to the sport and care of pigeon racing and showing pigeons.

MEMBERSHIP

1. There shall be two classes of membership: Affiliated and Individual Members. Acceptance of these rules is a condition of membership.

2. Affiliated members are members of Affiliated Societies. Individual members are persons elected as members of the Union in a manner hereafter provided.

3. (a) Any applicant may seek membership of the Union as an Affiliated Society or as an Individual Member by application in writing to the Secretary of the Region, supported in writing by two existing members.

(b) Application for Affiliated Society Membership must include names, addresses, email addresses where available and a mobile phone number for all members of that body.

(c) Individual Membership is restricted to persons living in the geographical area of the region to which they apply. Applicants must provide a mobile phone number for stray reporting and may be asked for proof that they are active pigeon fanciers before being accepted.

(d) Any member found to have supplied false or misleading information on their application which if truthfully disclosed would render their application ineligible, or behaves in a manner inconsistent with the rules and objectives of the Union shall have their membership terminated with loss of any fee paid.

4. Applications by Affiliated Societies will be put before the delegates at the next available Region meeting. Decision shall be made by a majority vote.

5. Individual members will have no right to appeal a decision of the Irish Homing Union or to make proposals to the AGM.

6. (a) To form a club there must be 5 full fee-paying members with 5 different addresses. Clubs that are existing members of the IHU should continue to exist.

(b) When a fancier is a member of more than one club, he/she must pay a Union Fee in each club.

7. (a) Any union member seeking to join a club or affiliated society must provide a clearance letter from their previous club or society before the application can be considered. Failure to disclose membership of a previous society or provide a valid clearance letter will invalidate any membership.

(b) Applicants for membership of an affiliated club or society must apply in writing giving their name, address, region loft number for existing members and a mobile phone number. The application shall contain the names of the applicants only, the word loft or lofts is not allowed. Any applicants under the age of 18 must be declared. Partnerships shall give the names and addresses of all partners and mobile contact number for the senior partner.

(c) Membership of Affiliated societies can only be accepted at the AGM of said society. Applications after this date can be accepted at a club members meeting called for that purpose and attended by more than 50% of paid up club members.

(d) The names and addresses of all applicants for membership shall be read out at the meeting. Applicants shall be proposed by an existing member known to them who can confirm a loft or the intention to build a loft within 6 months at the address listed on the application. The membership proposal if seconded by another existing member present will proceed to a vote and needs more than 50% of members present to vote in favour for acceptance. New members may be subject to a probationary period if stated in the affiliated society rule book.

(e) The affiliated society secretary shall forward to the region secretary the name, address and mobile number of any new members, any changes to membership details or resignations within 7 days of the meeting.

8. Junior members under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (someone approved in writing to supervise this person) while present on the premises of an affiliated society or while attending any event organised by an affiliated society. The parent or guardian must be a fully paid up IHU member.

9. Individual Membership shall last until the end of the calendar year applied for.

10. (a) The Region Secretary shall retain up-to-date records of all affiliated membership and current individual membership and such records shall be open to inspection.

(b) Every Affiliated Society shall, before the 31st March each year, furnish to the Secretary of the Region a list of the names and addresses of its membership at that date.

(d) All Affiliated Societies to supply a valid email address to the Region secretary to receive official correspondence instead of post. Affiliated Societies to be responsible for checking this email address for content and accuracy.

FEES

11. (a) Each Affiliated Society shall, no later than 30th April each year, pay to the Region Secretary an IHU fee of 2 euro/ £1.50 for each member, including each partner.

(b) In addition a fee of 5 euro shall be shall be paid for each loft.

(c) Regions have the discretion to set out their own timescales for receipt of membership payments. Regions to forward all payments due to the Supreme Council by 31st July each year.

12. (a) Affiliated Societies not discharging fees in accordance with these rules by 30th April each year shall be fined £20/25 euro per month by the Region Secretary until the fees are paid.

(b) All members within Affiliated Societies, Federations or Combines must also be members of the Irish Homing Pigeon Union.

CONSTITUTION & MANAGEMENT

13. All local organisations shall be vested in the North and Southern Regions of the Union and administered by the officers of the Region in accordance with the Rules.

14. (a) The Supreme Council of the Union shall be the supreme controlling body of all the affairs of the Union.

(b) It shall be composed of six delegates from each Region, plus Union President, Secretary, and Treasurer and the two Region secretaries.

15. (a) Each Region shall be composed of two delegates from every Affiliated Society, Federation and Combine and clubs having not less than fifteen competing lofts.

(b) Clubs with less than fifteen members and non race-marking societies shall be entitled to one delegate each.

16. (a) The delegates shall, at the Annual General Meeting, elect from the delegates a President, Secretary and Treasurer as Officers of the Union.

(b) Such Officers shall hold office for a period of one year, but shall be eligible for re-election at the end of that period.

(c)The delegates shall also elect from the delegates, two Auditors.

(d) Nominations for Secretary of the Union should be submitted in writing at least 21 days prior to the AGM.

(e) Delegates shall elect from the delegates the IHU delegates for the Irish National Flying Club committee, The INFC Appeals Committee and the IHU Special Committee. Only delegates present in the room at the Union AGM can be elected to the INFC Committee to represent the IHU.

17. (a) The delegates may also, in recognition of their high service to the sport, elect VicePresidents of the Union.

(b) Vice-Presidents need not be delegates.

SUPREME COUNCIL MEETINGS

18. (a) General Meetings of the Supreme Council shall be held as required at a time and venue determined by the Supreme Council.

(b) The Annual General Meeting shall be held on the fourth Saturday of February.

19. (a) Notice of place, date, time and agenda of all meetings of the Supreme Council shall be posted to affiliated club secretaries at least fourteen days beforehand. Secretaries to inform their delegates

(b) All motions and other matters up for discussion at meetings must be received by the Secretary at least twenty-one days before the date of the meeting.

20. The Chairman may accept for discussion at any meeting matters raised by the delegates which are not on the agenda, or do not relate to the motions before the meeting. In relation to these matters the decision of the Chairman will be final.

21. No business shall be determined at any meeting unless 10 delegates are present.

22. (a) Each delegate shall have one vote, which shall not be exercised by proxy.

(b) In the case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

(c) Voting shall be by show of hands, but any delegate may demand a card vote on questions determined by the Chairman to be of vital importance, unless seventy-five per cent of the delegates present are against him. Such card vote shall determine the question before the meeting.

23. Unless otherwise specified by these Rules, decisions of the Supreme Council shall be carried by a simple majority vote of councillors present.

24. The President shall preside as Chairman at meetings of the Supreme Council, and in her/his absence the councillors present shall elect one of their number to act as Chairman.

25. The Secretary shall keep records of all motions and proceedings of meetings of the Council, and in particular, record:

(a) The names of all councillors present

(b) All motions and decisions

(d) Decisions of the Supreme Council which require endorsement at the next Annual General Meeting.

26. A special meeting of the Supreme Council shall be called within fourteen days of the receipt of a written request for a meeting signed by no less than six councillors of the Supreme Council (ten delegates for a Region meeting).

FINANCE

27. All income however derived shall be applied solely towards the objects of the Union, and no members shall receive payment other than by way of remuneration for services actually rendered to the Union.

28. The Supreme Council shall keep true accounts of all monies received and expended by the Union.

29. (a) The Banking Account of the Union shall be kept in the name of the Union in such Bank or Financial Institution as the Supreme Council may direct.

(b) All monies received by or on behalf of the Union shall be paid into such an account, excepting only a sum authorised by the Supreme Council from time to time, which shall be retained by the Secretary in cash.

30. The Union’s financial year shall close on 31st December and all accounts due to the Union must be paid on or before 30th November each year.

31. Auditors appointed by the Supreme Council shall each year examine the accounts of the union, and shall certify that at the date of the Annual General Meeting the accounts reflect a true and correct view of the state of affairs of the Union at that time.

32. A copy of the Audited accounts shall accompany the notice convening the Annual General Meeting, where delegates shall approve the accounts.

DISCIPLINE

33. (a) Any member guilty of dishonourable conduct within the sport, or wilfully breaking these rules or the rules of the Region or his Affiliated Society, or non-compliance with a decision in relation to such matters, is liable to be fined or suspended or expelled by her/his Affiliated Society or Region or the Supreme Council.

(b) During such suspension a member shall cease to be a member of the Union and shall not be entitled to any of the privileges of the Union, but shall be entitled to attend any meeting relating to the suspension, but only in relation to that item of the agenda only.

(c) Suspensions will not take effect until the Region Secretary has been notified by post or email. Notice to include the Membership Number, name and address of suspended parties and the reason for the suspension. This must be done within 7 days of the decision of the affiliated society.

(d) Any member whose serves a suspension of 12 months or more will be deemed to have forfeited their membership of the union and any affiliated societies. They must reapply to their region on conclusion of the suspension at the next available meeting to be reinstated. A majority of delegates present must approve their application before they can apply for membership of any affiliated society.

34. (a) Suspended members or societies will be suspended from racing, showing, sale and transfer of birds. They cannot use any facilities or attend any event organised by any affiliated society of the union while activities governed by union rules are taking place. The registered address and any address associated with the suspended member will also be suspended except when exempted by the Supreme Council

(b) In the case of partnerships, each case will be judged on its merits.

(c) When an appeal has been lodged, the suspended member or Society, Federation or Combine shall be entitled to the normal rights of membership except the transfer of rings, sale of birds, and where gross misconduct and/or fraud has been proven.

35. Any Affiliated Society guilty of conduct described in Rule 33 may be fined, suspended or expelled by the local Region.

36. (a) Upon expulsion of an Affiliated Society, all of its members shall cease to be members of the Union.

(b) A member of any suspended Society may continue, at the discretion of the Region, to be a member of another Affiliated Society, and to apply for membership of another Affiliated Society.

37. (a) Disputes between members shall be determined by the Affiliated Society of which they are members. Members who refuse to attend a disciplinary hearing or fail to accept correspondence from their affiliated society by email or registered letter sent to their postal address registered with the club regarding a dispute will be suspended until they attend their disciplinary hearing. They will also be liable for the cost of any postage incurred by the affiliated society.

(b) Disputes between a member and his/her Affiliated Society shall be determined by the local Region. The region will not hear an appeal until the affiliated society has made a decision on the matter first, unless it can be shown by the appellant that the affiliated society has refused to hear their grievance.

(d) Should either side fail to attend a region appeal meeting without good reason acceptable to that regions delegates the non-attending party will lose by default and will forfeit any further appeal on the matter, including any appeal to the Supreme Council under rule 42(a).

38. Anybody losing an appeal to their club, Federation, or Combine appeals straight to their Region. They must inform their club, Fed or Combine that they are appealing the decision within 7 days.

39. All decisions by the Regions on disciplinary matters, whether on appeal or otherwise, shall be communicated in writing to the Supreme Council within seven days of the decision.

40. (a) Notice of appeal to the local Region must be received by the Secretary of the Region within fourteen days of the date of the decision appealed against by the member, accompanied by a deposit of £50 stg. or €80. Regions be given discretion to extend time for lodging an appeal, grievance, or dispute to it and the payment of the £50/€80 deposit, if it considers this is appropriate in the circumstances.

(b) The loser of the appeal is liable for the fee unless otherwise determined by the Region.

(c) The Secretary of the Region shall give fourteen days’ notice to the appellant member and her/his Affiliated Society of the arrangement for the hearing of the appeal.

(d) Notice shall be by email or recorded delivery post.

(e) At the hearing of the appeal both parties may be represented by a fellow club member, or an IHU member (excluding legal representation), at the consent of the President, and may tender oral/written evidence.

(f) The Region may rescind, vary, modify or confirm the decision of an Affiliated Society.

41. The Region shall record in writing the grounds for the decision, signed by the Secretary or other Officer of the Region.

42. (a) A member may, subject to the express provision to the contrary in these rules, appeal to the Supreme Council against a decision of the local Region.

(b) Notice of such appeal shall be in writing, stating the grounds for appeal, and shall be received by the General Secretary within 21 days of the decision of the local Region accompanied by a deposit of £100 stg or €160. The Supreme Council be given discretion to extend time for lodging an appeal, grievance to it and the payment of the £100/€160 deposit, if it considers this is appropriate in the circumstances.

(d) Upon receipt of the notice, the General Secretary shall forward a copy of same to the Secretary of the Region.

(e) The Region Secretary shall, within twenty-one days after receipt of the notice, forward to the General Secretary, copies of written evidence considered by the Region, together with the grounds upon which their decision was made.

43. (a) The General Secretary shall, at least ten days before the hearing of an appeal before the Supreme Council, provide a copy of the written evidence submitted by the Region, and the grounds upon which the decision was made, to the parties to the appeal, and to each member of the Supreme Council.

(b) At the hearing of an appeal by the Supreme Council parties may attend or be represented by a fellow club member or an IHU member (excluding legal representation), at the consent of the President, and may give oral/written evidence.

(c) Appeals from the Southern Region shall be heard by the Northern councillors and appeals from the Northern Region shall be heard by the Southern councillors.

44. (a) On appeal, the Supreme Council shall have the power to call but not compel all interested parties, including witnesses, to attend the hearing of an appeal.

(b) The Supreme Council may require such parties to produce for examination all minutes, books, registers, and papers etc. which are deemed necessary for the conduct of the appeal.

45. The Supreme Council may rescind, vary, modify or confirm a decision of the local Region.

46. Decisions on all appeals heard by the Supreme Council will be made by email or by post.

47. (a) The Supreme Council and Local Regions shall have power to initiate legal proceedings and to take steps recommended by a solicitor appointed by the Supreme Council which are, in the opinion of the Supreme Council or local Region, necessary to support the objects of the Union.

(b) The mandatory sentence for cheating or fraud will be sixty years.

DRUGS & ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

The responsibility is on the fancier to ensure that none of the substances listed are given to the pigeons, whether or not it is listed as part of the contents.

48. (a) The Irish Homing Pigeon Union, or any affiliated federation, combine or society, reserve the right to test for drugs or any other illegal performance-enhancing substance in any loft or any pigeon under the jurisdiction of the Union.

(b) Any member guilty of using an illegal performance-enhancing drug will have their name and address will be suspended for 5 years.

(c) The banned substances are Anabolic Steroids, Beta-Agonists, Portico Steroids, plus the list supplied by the IHU and other substances deemed to illegal by the testing authority. The responsibility is on the fancier to ensure that none of the substances are given to pigeons.

(d) The list will be amended as required.

(e) The methods for drug testing will be: Droppings, Swab, Feather or any other method required by the Testing Authority.

Authorised officials will remove droppings from the loft or basket of the member, in the presence of the owner or nominee.

(f) The sample of the droppings will be put into two containers marked “A” and “B”.

(g) The sample in Container “A” will be for the test and container “B” will be the control and will be retained by the testing laboratory at the required temperature.

(h) Both containers will be sealed and labelled in the presence of the affiliated member or nominee.

(i) The two containers will be sent to a nominated laboratory approved by the Irish Homing Pigeon Union.

(j) Should the result prove positive, notification to the member would be by recorded delivery.

(k) In five working days following the receipt of this notification, the owner or the nominee can demand, also by recorded delivery, to club, Region, combine or federation, a further test on the control held at the laboratory.

(l) Should the owner not request this control within the time limit, the first test will be considered final.

(m) If the owner or nominee refuse or impede the collection of samples, the test will be treated as a positive test.

LEGAL ADVICE

49. (a) The Union shall have the power, as far as the law allows, to provide or assist in the provision of legal advice and assistance to its members.

(b) An application for such advice or assistance shall be made in writing, accompanied by a full statement, to the Secretary of the local Region.

(c) On receipt of the application the Region may take such steps as considered appropriate, or refer the matter to the Supreme Council.

(d) The Supreme Council shall from time to time determine the financial limit of such advice or assistance provided by the Union, at the discretion of the Region or the Supreme Council.

(f) Affiliated Societies or union members shall not initiate legal action against another affiliated society or union member unless all union appeals procedures have been exhausted. For affiliated societies a properly constituted EGM must be called for this purpose and a motion passed by at least 75% of total paid up society members to spend society funds on legal representation.

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES & REGIONS

50. (a) All affiliated societies, Federations, Combines and Regions shall draw up for their internal management, and issue to each member, a set of local or domestic rules.

(b) Such rules shall not overrule or contradict these rules and shall state that in the event of lack of clarity or conflict, these rules have priority.

(c) Only paid up Affiliated Society members may attend and vote at Affiliated Society meetings. Non-Members may attend if a majority of members present allow this or if directed by the IHU. Any other person who attends any Union or Affiliated Society meeting who is not a paid up member of the Union or the Society must leave when requested. Anyone failing to do so will be deemed to be guilty of dishonourable behaviour.

(d) Any person seeking to serve on the committee of any Affiliated Society must have 2 year’s continuous society membership.

(e) No new applications for ring only or non-flying memberships to be accepted by Affiliated Societies from 2025 on.

(f) Non flying members are not permitted to race in any IHU club or Society.

(g) All clubs, Federations or Combines must hold an AGM each year and they must elect a President/Chairman, secretary, treasurer, auditors and delegates to the IHU and must notify the Region secretary of the outcome.

(h) For the purposes of voting at affiliated society meetings, a partnership shall have 1 vote regardless of the number of partners in the partnership. This vote shall be from the senior partner in the partnership. This person is the first named individual in the partnership name or membership application. In the event that the senior partner is absent the vote shall pass to the next named partner listed on the membership application that is present at the meeting.

ALTERATION OF RULES

51. These rules may be altered at the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof by a simple majority resolution of the delegates present at such meeting provided always that notice has been given to the delegates in accordance with these rules.

52. The Supreme Council is empowered to make alterations to rules as regards punctuation and grammar, only so long as the meaning of the rule is not changed, and for purpose of clarity only.

53. (a) The Supreme Council shall have power, exercised by simple majority of the councillors present, to alter rules and regulations to cover any situation not governed by these rules.

(b) Such alterations shall lapse at the next Annual General Meeting, unless adopted by the delegates.

(c) The Supreme Council have the power to instruct a Fed, Combine, Club or Society to call an EGM if they think it is in the best interest of that Fed, Combine, Club or Society.

54. (a) Any member in arrears to any affiliated society following the AGM shall be sent a demand for payment within 7 days. If payment is still outstanding 21 days from the AGM date said member is suspended. A member who has been suspended for arrears by her/his club can have the suspension lifted when the arrears are cleared in full. Members in arrears over 12 months must reapply for membership.

(b) Club Secretary to notify the Region Secretary of same.

55. The Supreme Council shall have power to initiate criminal proceedings or otherwise to take such steps as they deem expedient to procure or assist in procuring this punishment of offences which, in the opinion of the Supreme Council, affect the interests of the Union, and may offer and pay rewards for any information touching such matters.

56. (a) Members should co-operate with their neighbours for the advancement and benefit of the sport.

(b) Failure to comply with this rule may impair any support from the Union.

(c) Any member re-locating their loft to a different address within their club radius need not re-apply for membership but they must be re-measured.

57. (a) No bird shall be eligible to compete in any race or show held under the jurisdiction of the Irish Homing Pigeon Union unless wearing rings with the initials “IHU” or any other recognised Union rings.

(b) All birds must be transferred to compete in any race or show held under Union rules and be the bona-fide property of the competitor in whose name they are entered.

(c) Foreign rings must be registered with the Region Secretary before competing in any race or show under Union rules. These are defined as any rings which are not issued by officially recognised unions of Great Britain and Ireland.

(d) The fee for registering foreign rings shall be set by the Region.

(e) Details of recognised rings only can be entered on any sheet relating to racing or showing or any other administration items.

(f) Transfer fee for non IHU members will be set by the Region.

58. (a) In the event of change of ownership, all birds must be the property of such partners and

shall be transferred en bloc.

(b) Any pigeon not registered will be disqualified. There will be no appeal against the decision of the Union.

(d) Union rings will only be issued to Union members. Union members who give rings to suspended members will be suspended for 12 months.

(e) Online transfers between paid up IHU members to be allowed provided both parties are registered with the region for this activity. Both parties need to agree electronically for the transfer to be confirmed. Any member abusing this facility will be disciplined by the region.

59. (a) When race marking birds for races there must be at least five members from individual lofts (not necessarily competing) present before such race marking can commence, and no member will be allowed to race mark his/her own birds.

(b) All ring particulars must be entered on race sheets and any other sheets relating to any race.

(d) Clubs must maintain a register of commencement and finishing times of marking for each race.

(e) Each club, Federation or Combine shall determine the duration of marking until pick up or delivery.

60. (a) A uniform system of measurements shall be adopted by all Societies, Federations and Combines affiliated to the Union.

(b) All lofts will be pinpointed by the GPS system and the measurements calculated by both Region Secretaries and the Supreme Council. North Region can also use the Map Coordinates App for pinpointing longitude and latitude of all IHU North Region members’ lofts.

61. All Club, Federation and Combine race velocities shall be calculated in accordance with approved Union Systems.

62. (a) All members must time their birds by means of an Electronic Timing System, Electronic Clock, or Automatic Timing Clock which have been approved by the Union.

(b) All members must submit the timing system they intend using in the season’s races to their Club, Federation or Combine at least twenty-eight days before the first race in which they compete.

(c) On the conclusion of the race, the committee appointed by the promoters of such race shall likewise ensure that the system and/or container is again sealed before returning to the member.

(d) The seal number is to be recorded at all times for reference.

(e) T3 Clocks: clock number must correspond with the number on the print-out. All details on the print-out must be checked and the print-out signed by the clock official.

63. (a) All clocks (except T3 clocks) submitted for use in races shall be tested at least once per annum in three positions, viz. upright in box, flat face down and flat face up.

(b) Record shall be kept of all the running of the clock so tested.

(c) Only shuttles suitable to the make of the clock to be used – telescopic shuttles (metal or plastic) or any other enclosed shuttle.

(d) Rubber rings can be inserted in all conventional timing clocks without a thimble, provided the clocks have been fitted with flap recommended by the manufacturer. This also applies to clocks fitted with a cover on the shuttle carriage.

(e) T3 clocks should be run for 3 days and deemed passed if a variation of 5 seconds or less is recorded. A 3-way test certificate is still required.

64. (a) Should any competitor’s clock stop or become unserviceable, he/she may have it reset by a member of the clock committee at headquarters, or he/she may time into the nearest competitor’s clock.

(b) In the event of a competitor’s clock stopping after timing in, they may be given the time that such stopped clock is handed over at headquarters. Stopped clock to be struck against the Master Timer on arrival at club headquarters.

65. (a) Should a clock have varied more than at a rate of five seconds per hour, a fast clock shall be regarded as correct, a slow clock shall have double the proportionate lost time added.

(b) A stopped clock shall be treated as slow and double the lost time added.

(c) Should a member’s clock stop through not being wound up, such member shall have his entry fees and pool money returned in full.

66. (a) All clocks shall be set by the official clock committee or whomsoever they may appoint, and who shall sign one name on the back or front of the dials used by them, together with the race-point and date.

(b) On conclusion of the race, the committee shall complete the Master Timer record card, and endorse all clock times and variations on the appropriate record sheet.

(c) All dials and checking sheets shall be placed in envelopes together with all the used rubber rings, sealed, and dispatched to the Federation or Combine headquarters concerned for retention.

(d) One shuttle only shall be removed at a time from the clock, and the rubber ring or rings therein shall be enclosed in the telescopic shuttle entered on the verification card.

(e) All clocks shall be set and checked by the Master Timer, whose setting time shall be taken from the last pip of time signal from Greenwich, from the Golden Voice mechanism of the

GPO, or from the club’s Electronic Timing System. In the event that GPS isn’t working the club’s Electronic Timing System can be set manually.

(f) When the clock committee are checking clocks, five punctures only must be struck on the running off.

(g) Competitors’ clocks must be set and struck off according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

67. (a) All race rubber rings outside and inside numbers must correspond with duplicate outside and inside numbers when checked with race sheets.

(b) When completed, race sheets must be signed by the clerk at race marking.

68. (a) No member shall be allowed to set or strike-off his/her own clock.

(b) Any member that opens his/her own clock will be suspended for three weeks.

69. All used or stopped clocks set for a race must be returned to the club, federation or combine headquarters intact, within the race time.

70. All dials used in races must leave a complete and permanent record of punctures and imprints, and clocks to be read to the nearest second.

71. (a) All clubs, federations and combines, or individuals, must submit race-programme to the Region by 21st March annually.

(b) Under no circumstances can any club, federation or combine stage a liberation within 50 km. of the East Coast of Ireland in order to comply with directive laid down by the Airport and Aviation Authorities.

72. In all races it shall be deemed the life ring is entered and not the pigeon.

73. The delegates at the Annual General Meeting may (subject to Rule 10) make rules for the regulation of the sport of Homing Pigeon Racing or Exhibition, and may alter such rules, and all societies shall be bound to conform and comply with the rules so made or altered.

74. (a) The Union shall endeavour to obtain the recognition of the sport by the Central and Local Authorities in Ireland, and shall instruct the members to conform with the regulations regarding the keeping and racing of homing pigeons as may be laid down by the said authorities from time to time.

(b) The Union shall further endeavour to obtain legislation which will protect the interests of its members, particularly with regard to the care of pigeons in transit, the shooting and trapping of pigeons after liberation or at exercise, and shall seek permission for members to keep pigeons at their own place of residence.

75. Union members shall not compete in any race or competition with any organisation unless said organisation is a paid-up affiliated member of the Irish Homing Union, other FCI affiliated body or the Irish National Flying Club.

76. (a) Every member of a Society, Federation or Combine affiliated to the Union, including Individual Members, must procure a copy of this rule book and shall make themselves acquainted with the rules contained therein.

(b) The cost of the rule book will be determined by the Supreme Council.

77. In the event of any matter or question arising which is not provided for in the foregoing rules, same shall be dealt with as the Supreme Council may determine, and their decision in the matter shall be final and binding.

78. (a) All resolutions passed at the affiliated society must be by majority vote.

(b) No affiliated society committee has the power to veto any resolution passed in this manner.

(c) If a meeting is called by a majority of club members on the subject of no confidence in the club committee then this meeting must be called within 7 days. During this time the club committee cannot authorise any expenditure on behalf of the club. Should the committee fail to call this meeting within the 7 days they will be deemed to have removed themselves from office and a meeting shall be called by the Region secretary. Failure to hand over club minute books and cheque books shall result on automatic suspension of the outgoing committee.

79. (a) “Any Other Business” must not appear on the agenda of an Annual General Meeting.

(b) All notices of motion must have a proposer and be placed on the agenda.

(c) The Chairman reserves the right to raise any matter he deems urgent and in the best interests of the club, Federation, Combine or Society.

80. (a) No Society shall be dissolved without a two-thirds majority vote of the members.

(b) On disbandment of a club, Federation, Combine or Society, the Region Secretary should be notified.

81. Members from a disbanded club cannot form a new club, but must apply to an existing club in the area.

82. Any member issuing legal proceedings including legal correspondence, against any member, club, Federation, Combine or Society without adhering to the normal procedure of the Union will forfeit any hearing.

83. (a) Any member can resign at any time, provided he submits the request in writing by registered letter or email and owes no money to the affiliated society.

(b) The resignation takes effect from the date the registered letter or email is received by the Secretary and confirmed at the next meeting.

84. Members who resign will be liable for any levies or other monies passed prior to the post date of the applicant’s letter of resignation.

85. No training releases allowed for any loft in Dublin on the N7/M7/M9 at any time. This includes City West, Naas, Kilcullen, Carlow, Athy, Newbridge, Curragh, Kildare, Castledermot, Portlaoise, or any point in between if there is any chance the birds may travel near Baldonnel. Lofts north of Baldonnel training only allowed north of the M4 or east of the N11 (coast). Lofts south of Baldonnel training only allowed along the N81 to N11. Organised trainers must inform their customers of the training release point. The onus is on customers to know where their pigeons are being released from. It is not a defence should one of your pigeons be identified as causing a problem, that you don’t know where your pigeons are released from. Any member breaching these rules will be expelled for life from the Union.

REPORTING & RESPONDING TO STRAY PIGEONS

86. (a) Members must uphold one of the most fundamental rules of the Irish Homing Union in the protection of the best interests of its members.

(b) Should a stray bird enter you loft, feed, water and liberate it.

(c) If it will not leave, report the life-ring particulars to the Secretary of the Union concerned, giving your full membership name, address and telephone number.

(d) Do not keep, train or race strays.

87. (a) Any member failing to respond to a reported bird within seven working days of receipt of notification will be fined £20 or €25.

(b) If a second report is issued by the Region Secretary and the member fails to contact the finder within seven days of receipt of notification, a suspension will be imposed until the finder is contacted.

(c) It is a condition of membership that a current phone number be provided by all members to allow for stray reporting. This information will be given to persons reporting pigeons online. No other identifying information will be provided. The stray pigeon is the legal property of the person to whom the ring is registered with the Union and it is the duty of the registered owner to respond to any calls or texts regarding their property.

88. (a) If the member decides to transfer the bird to the finder, they must ensure that the finder is a pigeon fancier. Members must not leave messages instructing the finder to keep the pigeon without establishing that the finder wants the pigeon. Transfer procedures must be carried out by the owner.

(b) Members must be aware that they are responsible for pigeons registered in their name until such time that they have been transferred in accordance with Union Rules.

CUPS & TROPHIES

89. The Millar Gold Cup is for competition by all members of the Irish Conveying Amalgamation (now superseded by the Ulster Federation) and all Societies affiliated to the Irish Homing Union.

90. The Ken McConnaghie Cup will be awarded to the best velocity in the Region not winning the Miller Gold Cup.

ELECTRONIC TIMING SYSTEM

91. (a) All electronic timing systems must be approved by the Supreme Council before use in any club, federation or combine.

(b) Approved systems thus far: Unikon, Benzing, Bricon, Mega, Tipes, Tauris, iPigeon and Victory using the protocol Unives 1.7.

(c) All ETS clocks and Master systems must use the latest version of software as notified by the manufacturers and listed on the union website.

92. (a) The serial numbers of all club systems must be registered with the IHU through their federation or combine.

(b) No unregistered system may be used for any race flown under IHU rules.

93. Electronic Timing Systems can be used to record arrival times of race birds.

94. Access codes, electronic key and club systems must be administered by person/persons authorised by the club. All club systems must be kept in secure conditions.

95. (a) A club official must ensure that the electronic clock used with, or incorporated into, the club system, has received an up-to-date signal before race entry is due to start and before strike-off.

(b) Clubs may use an ETS Club system as a Master Timer provided it produces a printout of the setting time. This printout must be signed and dated by the club secretary and the chief clock setter, along with the racepoint. If they are the same person a second signature should be provided.

96. Assignment of electronic rings must be carried out by 2 officials of the club.

97. No club rule can allow assignment or re-assignment of an electronic ring on the day of race registration, except where the electronic ring is found to be faulty.

98. Irish Homing Union officers, club, federation and combine officials have the right to inspect trapping system used.

99. (a) Operating procedures, before, during and after races must be in accordance with

manufacturers’ instructions.

(b) Responsibility for providing manufacturers’ manuals to the organisations rests with the owner of the ETS.

100. It is the responsibility of the member to check that each organisation they intend to compete with has the equipment needed to enable them to use ETS.

101. No race entry details can be accepted from any electronic equipment with visible signs of damage to the casing or the seal, even if the damage was caused accidentally.

102. (a) While electronic race registration is taking place, apart from the officials engaged in the registration, to ensure security, all other people must remain al least one metre from the club system.

(b) No person may act as an official while their own birds are being recorded.

103. As part of the race electronic race entry process, officials must check that the number of the life ring on the pigeon’s leg is the same as that shown by the club system when the electronic chip ring is scanned.

104. All signed ETS print-outs must be retained by the club or organisation until the following

AGM.

105. All race entry and strike-off sheets must be printed directly from the club system and must show the club serial number, date and time.

106. (a) As part of the entry process, each person presenting birds for entry to a race will be given a copy of a print-out from the club system showing all the entry details that have been recorded for their pigeons.

(b) If it is confirmed that all the details have been entered correctly, the fancier or their nominated representative plus two club officials must sign the print and the copies.

107. Only electronic rings which incorporate approved electronic chips may be used in races under IHU rules.

108. In the event of an ETS failing to record an arrival time, on presenting the pigeon with assigned ETS ring at checking station, the member will be credited with the checking time.

109. The IHU, federation, combine or affiliated society has the power to detain any ETS they consider doubtful.

110. (a) Any ETS clock that varies by three seconds or more per day must be returned to the manufacturer for testing.

(b) Any pigeons recorded on this clock will not be accepted for inclusion in the race result until the manufacturer’s test report has been seen.

(c) On return from the manufacturers, the clock will be treated in the same way as a manual clock unless there is evidence of tampering.

111. (a) Club officials shall check that setting information, including code allocated at race entry, corresponds with strike-off sheets.

(b) Member to receive a copy of the strike-off sheet signed by two officials.

(c) If discrepancies are discovered at checking, the competitor’s clock will be deemed out-oforder and any pigeons timed in by that clock will be excluded from the result.

112. For races under IHU rules, members must use an electronic ring which incorporates the HiTag-S Electronic chip.

113. No member, club, federation or combine affiliated to the Irish Homing Union can be compelled to use ETS.

114. (a) All pigeons in lofts including stock pigeons must be vaccinated against Paramyxovirus with an approved vaccine for a minimum of 14 days before being eligible to be entered in any official competition under union rules. Members must provide proof of vaccination to any Affiliated Society official prior to entry. Any member falsifying this information or failing to supply this information when requested or failing to complete the 14-day vaccination waiting period, said member to be suspended from all competitions for a period of 14 days.

(b) ETS Assignment /Allocation Sheets can be accepted as proof of vaccination. All other birds to be recorded on the existing vaccination sheets. Assignment/ Allocation sheets to contain batch number and maker of vaccine.

115. (a) Any member who owes money to the IHU or its Regions, must pay what is due 14 days after receiving notice of the due amount by registered letter or email from the General secretary or the Region secretary. Failure to pay the amount due will result in the termination of membership. The member has 14 days to appeal the suspension per IHU rules.

(b) Any member whose membership has been terminated in this way shall not again be eligible for membership unless otherwise permitted by the region.

(c) Any costs associated with recovering that money owed to the Region or Supreme Council to be borne by the debtor member.

116. All Breeder Buyers, private races etc. to be run under the auspices of the IHU, and the conditions of the race, Breeder Buyer to be explained before the auction/race.

NOTES

(a) One of the fundamental rules of the Irish Homing Pigeon Union is the protection of the best interests of its members.

(b) Should a stray bird enter your loft, feed, water and liberate it. If it will not leave, report the metal ring particulars to the Region Secretary concerned.

(d) Acknowledge reports of found birds at once. It is a Union rule and courtesy demands it.

(e) When writing or sending an email to the Secretary, give your name, loft number and the name of the club of which you are a member. Don’t fail to give a full address.

(f) Your club rules are your contract. Remember this if you think of appealing. It may save you time, trouble and expense.

(g) While training or racing, do not overcrowd panniers. It is a penal offence and you are asking for trouble. See that your training basket bears a prominent label showing your name and address. This will prevent loss.

(h) If you purchase a bird or accept a gift, see that ownership of the ring is transferred to you in accordance with Union rules. Failure to adhere to this rule shall entail disqualification.

(i) If you are in trouble or doubt, consult the Secretary of the Union. Advice is free. Ask first – act later.

(j) Please make every effort to enlist new members.