Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I will speak in a spirit of trying to address the Deputies' concerns. It will not be a huge surprise to them that I am not likely to accept amendment No. 26, as there are technical problems with it. In addition, I do not agree with what is being proposed. The Deputies are proposing to amend the section of the Bill governing performances involving animals. Clearly, the section in question is not technically the right place in which to provide for a ban on fur farming. I would like to address the bigger question of whether a series of practices, including hare coursing, badger baiting and fur farming, should be outlawed, but the problem is that we do not have enough time for a substantial debate on the matter in the time remaining in this morning's session. I will deal with one aspect of the matter and we can move on to deal with some of the others the next day.