Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I saw the photograph and was horrified. I am saddened by the deaths but I will attend the reception in the American Embassy. I am sure that most Members of the Oireachtas and, indeed, the people on this island will view the reception as an invitation. I shall attend to pay my respects to the American people. I have issues with Donald Trump and I do not agree with him but a boycott of our friends in the United States is not a way forward. The Senator has his own views but I believe he is wrong and his view is very divisive. I will go to my friends in the United Kingdom. Whatever embassy extends an invitation to me, including the Russian Embassy, I will go and pay my respects as somebody who represents Ireland. I agree to differ with the Senator in terms of accepting the invitation. I do not go to these embassies to drink wine. I am well able to afford my own glasses of wine and days out. I shall go so that I can interact with the citizens of the United States and of this country, and also to work with our good friends in the United States.

Last night I watched the RTÉ "Prime Time" programme on the horrific events in the Irish greyhound industry. As many as 16,000 greyhounds are born every year and 6,000 of them are killed because they are simply not fast enough. There is serious concern about this issue. I ask the relevant Minister to come in here to alleviate our concerns about the greyhound industry that receives so much State funding. I know what was featured in the programme is perpetrated by a minority of people in the greyhound industry. A traceability system has been put in place but our concerns need to be alleviated. I am somebody who enjoys a flutter on the greyhounds. Last Tuesday, I was in Shelbourne Park to watch the greyhound racing and racing is a nice night out. I noticed that between 80% and 90% of the crowd were German, Russian and American tourists who travelled to the venue by bus. However, unless the abuse of greyhounds is dealt with in an open and transparent way by the Irish greyhound industry, the Government and the Minister, attendances at greyhound race tracks could be affected. I hope that there is openness and transparency and that the horrific murder of 6,000 greyhound pups every year will stop.