Dr. Andrew Kelly:

I thank the Chairman. With regard to Deputy Cahill's question, a small, almost negligible number, of our 16,000 calls relate directly to greyhounds.. A total of 70% relate to dogs but we receive a few calls annually about greyhounds. As we are not authorised under the Animal Health and Welfare Acts to investigate in licensed greyhound premises, we defer to the IGB on those calls. Mr. Dowling may come in shortly with replies on the legislative issues but he works closely with IGB on investigations that have come to its notice, which is important.

I refer to Deputy Pringle's points. I tis good to hear that there are exclusions for people who have been convicted for the offences he mentioned. I must have missed that. The number of litters relates to what is suggested for the dog Breeding Establishments Act. The proposal for nine litters is too many and we would like that reduced to a maximum of five or six. I will ask Mr. Dowling to comment on the differences between the Animal Health and Welfare Acts and the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.