Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

The Minister has been let down, by his officials others, on the Bill which has not been properly cross-referenced with the 1958 Act. As Senator Coffey said, the 1958 Act clearly states the controlling authority in the breeding of greyhounds is the Irish Coursing Club. The Minister has said the greyhound industry should be subject to checks, while Senator Coffey has clearly stated what is contained in the Act. Coursing clubs and the industry as a whole have inspection regimes in place in the interests of the welfare of greyhounds. On a couple of occasions bedding and everything else concerned with the breeding of greyhounds are inspected. The Minister is trying to introduce legislation that runs contrary to the contents of the Act.

Appropriate welfare standards are in place in the greyhound industry. There is no denying that defined and recognised infrastructure has been put in place to support the regulation and control of the industry which operates a register of all matings and litters born. Adult greyhounds are named in the case of transfer of ownership. All stud dogs and brood bitches are DNA profiled. Each greyhound is marked with a tattoo for identification purposes. We are talking about duplication when we talk about microchipping, ear-tagging and tattoos and will end up with cruelty to animals. It will run contrary to the principle of the Bill we are discussing. If we mark dogs with tattoos, attach microchips and ear tags, they will not be able to come out of their bedding because they will have so many tags. It is laughable that such duplication is being advocated in the Bill. Duplication is what we are talking about.

As Senator Burke said, the Minister should revisit this matter and introduce a proper Bill that is cross-referenced with the 1958 Act. When most Ministers introduce legislation, they ensure everything is cross-referenced, but that has not been done in this instance. The Minister's response was incorrect. He mentioned that the greyhound industry should be subject to inspection. It is already subject to inspection under the Act. Senators on this side of the House want the best animal welfare system to be in place. It is already well regulated by the industry in question. Those involved have said that if the measures suggested by the Minister are put in place, they will decimate the industry. The Minister spoke about the working group. He only listened to certain of its recommendations. There was a minority report in that regard.