Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses are all very welcome. With regard to the number of litters, what is the norm at present? I would like to know this for my own expertise, if nothing else. With regard to sanctions, it was stated a person convicted of any animal welfare offence should not serve on the board. Surely such people should not own greyhounds or be involved in the industry at all, never mind be on the board, at least for a period of time. I would like to tease this out a little because it seems a little strange that this would be the only sanction. I am sure it would not be that big a sanction to be taken off the board. With regard to the export of greyhounds abroad, traceability and tracking, all dogs in the country have microchips. I was interested to hear comments on the effectiveness of this and its potential to ensure adequate traceability and tracking of every dog in the country.