Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Mr. Histon for his presentation. It is very late at night and we have been sitting for nearly seven hours at this stage. I will not repeat the issues I set out to Bord na gCon in regard to our abhorrence of what was seen on the television programme. Instead, I am going to focus on items in the ICC presentation and the ICC can take it that our position has not changed from one hour ago, when we were interviewing Bord na gCon.

The first paragraph that I would welcome in the presentation is that which refers to the export of greyhounds to the UK and the ICC's plans to try to work with GBGB to ensure that dogs only go to countries where there are acceptable welfare standards. If we can work on that and make sure it happens, it would do a lot to restore public confidence in our sport, which would be welcome. None of us, in particular members of the public, want to see dogs go to countries where welfare standards are not compatible with our own. We need to co-ordinate that work with GBGB. As the Chairman said at the end of the meeting with Bord na gCon, we hope the ICC will be able to come to us in the autumn and report on progress on that paragraph as to GBGB policies on such exports.

The clarification on the meeting on Whiddy Island is also welcome. The programme definitely gave the impression it was an illegal meeting. Open coursing happens in my county as well, and there is definitely one club, if not two, that practices open coursing every weekend. That is their sport. As I said, the dogs are muzzled and the meetings are held under strict rules. Those people who attended that sporting event on that day deserve an apology because it was definitely portrayed that something unregulated was happening. As Mr. Histon has clearly stated, it was a licensed event and was operating fully within the rules of the sport.

When Bord na gCon was here, we mentioned the issue of illegal hunting. One month ago, we had officials from the Department at the committee to discuss the legislation governing animal welfare as regards horses and dogs in particular. Unfortunately, illegal hunting is a serious issue and it is happening more frequently. In my county, virtually every Sunday, there are reports of gangs coming with ten or 12 lurchers. They are hunting across the country and killing anywhere up to ten or 12 hares in a session, then putting this up on Facebook and betting on which lurcher kills the most hares. This illegal activity has to be stamped out. Earlier today, we talked about the resources in regard to the microchipping of horses. More resources need to be put into this area and we need to have more dog wardens. Gardaí have said to me that if they catch someone hunting illegally and the dog warden is not on duty, they cannot seize the dogs. That will have to be addressed. A dog warden will have to be available outside of office hours to ensure that if these people are detected hunting, their dogs can be seized and the appropriate action taken against them. This activity has no place in any society. The hare is a beautiful creature and to have that kind of illegal hunting happening is abhorrent.

The ICC went through its findings and the procedures it has in place. The minimum mandatory suspension ranges from three months to five months during a coursing season, and this can be extended to six months by the hearing committee. I would like to see that expanded. Obviously, a person might offend once and, for example, as in horse racing, a dog can receive a substance that the owner might not be aware was prohibited. That can happen, and accidents do happen. However, for anyone offending on more than one occasion, the suspension should be larger than what has been outlined. There is no place in coursing or dog racing for people who are giving prohibited substances. While I accept mistakes can happen and an owner can give a remedy to a dog and not know it is prohibited, a repeat offence would warrant more than the suspension outlined. Mr. Histon says it is a minimum but I would like to have more clarification and stronger rules for repeat offenders.

With regard to the rehoming of greyhounds, as Mr. Histon rightly said, there are dogs that run at coursing meetings and dogs that run on tracks, and both industries have to work together as regards welfare. Bord na gCon has given a clear indication of what it has been spending on welfare and what it intends to spend in the future. I notice the ICC has a clear declaration that it is going to contribute to the same extent, as appropriate to its industry. It is important that coursing is shown to put its shoulder to the wheel as regards the rehoming of greyhounds, and it is important that some resources are put into this by the ICC. I know all dogs are registered with the ICC and a levy needs to be put on the registration of all dogs. I understand the ICC would not have the corporate facilities that Bord na gCon would have, and there is not the same opportunity. However, Clonmel is a great event and there are sponsors in Clonmel, so there could be opportunities to get money for the rehoming and welfare of dogs. Bord na gCon has clearly stated it intends to levy virtually every aspect of the sport where revenue is coming in to put a pot in place for the rehoming of greyhounds. I would like to see a little more flesh on how the ICC is going to do that. I fully accept the point in the presentation that the commitment is there. When the ICC comes back to the committee later in the year, it should be able to show us how it is going to co-operate with the other sections of the industry to ensure adequate revenue is in place so we can be sure dogs are well catered for in their lives after racing.