Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

I listened carefully to the contribution by the Minister, Deputy Gormley. This issue has been debated extensively outside the House in recent weeks. The Bill was introduced in the Seanad where it was discussed for months, yet it is to be railroaded through the Lower House in less than one day. We can only take what the Minister has said in good faith. We heard from him today that the greyhound industry has a summer reprieve, but that is not good enough. The Minister must indicate clearly the amendments he proposes to introduce and the impact they will have on the greyhound industry in particular. What he has done today is to kick the matter to touch. He has effectively told the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, that if he does not do X, Y and Z, namely, implement the changes the Minister, Deputy Gormley, requires in the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, that he will not sign this legislation into law. That is not good Government. Once again we see the cohesion of the arrangement between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party breaking down.

I come from a family that is involved in breeding and racing greyhounds. One of my earliest memories is of travelling to a trial in Milltown Malbay with my father, with two greyhounds in the back of the car. I currently have a bitch called Taco Bell.

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