Ms Suzie Carley:

I will combine my answers to the questions asked by Deputies Cahill and Penrose. With regard to the white list and the countries to be determined, this is a very good point and I want to avoid any confusion. It is with regard to export to countries whose welfare standards do not meet the same standards as we do in Ireland. We must be mindful that many greyhounds being exported from Ireland are exported for rehoming. We propose the welfare members of the international greyhound forum put together the white list. This would be informed by the past record of the relevant country relating to the welfare of greyhounds and the welfare of animals more generally; the existence in the relevant country of enforceable welfare protections for greyhounds being equivalent to protections available in this State; the monitoring and enforcement in the relevant country of the welfare protections referred to in the Bill; and the standards of care and management to which greyhounds are likely to be subjected in the relevant country. A little work will need to be done, and it must be an inclusive process where conversations take place among welfare members.

That list would be open for public consultation for 30 days so that we could get feedback from the public. When the list is provided it would then go to the Minister to ultimately stamp his or her imprimaturon it. We need to take into consideration research on the countries and whether they have the relevant welfare legislation and enforcement around that legislation as well.