Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the two groups for their submissions. I am a greyhound owner and the director of a greyhound track and, therefore, I have a serious interest in the industry. Our industry has received a great deal of negative attention in the past few months. The industry's participation regarding the welfare of greyhounds must increase. Anyone who is serious about the industry recognises that. While I may not agree with everything the witnesses said, they have made many sensible points observations, which have to be taken on board and examined in the drafting of this Bill. Dr. Kelly said the ISPCA receives 16,000 calls each year about cruelty to animals. What percentage of those calls relate to greyhounds?

Ms Carley gave examples of countries to which greyhounds are exported where standards are a long way below ours. If we are serious about greyhound welfare and enhancing the image of our industry going forward, the legislation must prohibit the export of dogs to countries where standards are significantly below those of Ireland. Who will set down criteria for the countries to which the dogs are exported? Do we have the ability to determine fairly for or against an importing country? Ms Carley cited one country as an example and I accept that. I discussed this issue with greyhound owners last week in the context of another country. I thought its standards were not that high but I was assured that the conditions in which the greyhounds are kept are absolutely superb and the country's standards are even higher than ours. Just because a country is outside northern Europe does not mean it its standards are below an acceptable level.

What format do we have? Is there a body that will be acceptable to everyone with regard to the standards? Will standards be agreed? How can we do this for the various countries to which greyhounds go from Ireland?

The industry must recognise that it has a responsibility to contribute to the welfare of greyhounds. The day of leaving it to someone else to deal with retired greyhounds is over. Whether we will be able to cater for every case economically is an argument, but breeders, owners and the industry as a whole will have to make a financial contribution to try to secure homes for retired greyhounds and the welfare of greyhounds. There is a percentage of dogs which must be euthanised. It is a prerogative that the industry bears its share of responsibility and its share of the cost. Our industry has suffered a lot of damage in recent months. If we are to protect the image of our industry going forward, we must have greater participation in dog welfare. Anyone who is serious and interested in the industry will accept this.