Brendan Kenneally (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Browne for sharing time. Deputy Joe Carey has left the House but I would like to congratulate him on his elevation to the position of deputy Chief Whip of Fine Gael. I was interested in his comments on the greyhound industry because he is obviously very knowledgeable about it, as is Deputy Browne. It appears as if Deputy Carey is more successful. Deputy Browne had a dog that was last five times out of six. I hope Deputy Carey is successful and that his bitch has a very good litter.

This Bill prompted a huge amount of discussion outside the House before it came before the House. In rural Ireland we have been inundated with people calling to us with their views on the Bill. Like Deputy Browne, a huge number of people came to see me last weekend about the measures in the Bill. We have been trying to force change and it is to be hoped that we are moving towards a compromise and something with which we can all live and agree. The Bill has a very worthy objective because there is no doubt there is a huge problem in the country in the way puppy farms are currently run. We have seen a number of television programmes on the abuses and cruelty in the industry. There have also been reports in the press on it. Any right thinking person in the country would say that this was going to be an excellent Bill to deal with this aspect of society. It would have had universal support in this House.

As the Minister, Deputy Gormley, said a number of years ago, the primary objective was to regulate commercial dog breeding but unfortunately it went beyond that. It has included the greyhound industry and the hunting community. The Minister of State, Deputy Roche, was referred to. When he was dealing with the Bill he said in dealing with HAI that it was not part of the problem, therefore it did not have to be part of the solution. That is true, it is not part of the problem.

I wonder why so much controversy had to be created. The waters were muddied by making it a catch-all Bill rather than dealing with the real problem. It is unfortunate that all of that has happened. In doing that we brought about a situation which, it is to be hoped, will not arise as a result of some of the comments the Minister, Deputy Gormley, said earlier today. The Bill could be defeated when we vote on it next Thursday, which would be a pity when we are trying to deal with commercial puppy farming and not extraneous elements that were brought in.

The local hunt in Waterford is the Woodstown Harriers. I have seen how well it runs its operation, as do the other hunts throughout the country. I visited it, saw its kennels and how it looks after its animals. Some of them are looked after better than some human beings.

The suggestion that hunting organisations or greyhound owners are mistreating animals is very wide of the mark. Rogue operators pop up in every walk of life but, by and large, these organisations run a good show.

The Minister had indicated that affiliates of the Hunting Association of Ireland, HAI, would be exempted from the legislation and, as such, they were not included in the consultative process. However, it subsequently transpired that they would be affected by the Bill even though they did not have a proper opportunity to make their views known. My colleagues and I told our constituents in good faith that we had the Minister's assurance that the legislation would not affect them and it is difficult to maintain our credibility if we have to admit we were wrong or that the goalposts have moved.

The greyhound industry is well regulated by the Irish Greyhound Board, IGB, and the Irish Coursing Club, ICC. The ICC operates a register of all matings, litters born, adult greyhounds named and transfers of ownership. All stud dogs and brood bitches are DNA profiled, greyhounds are tattooed and earmarked for identification purposes and pups are inspected and tattooed by control stewards jointly appointed by the ICC and the IGB. Greyhound breeders are subject to registration fees which ultimately support the integrity of the industry. Recent reductions in funding for the industry have been accompanied by decreases in prize money which will impact on breeding and future supply of greyhounds. The industry has a defined policing structure on all matters relating to conduct of breeders and owners. Matters deemed to be in breach of industry regulations are processed through the independent control committee for sanction.

I am dealing with the Bill as it stands even though the Minister has indicated his intention to bring amendments because I have not had an opportunity to study his contribution on Second Stage. He has indicated that the greyhound industry will continue to be regulated by amendments to the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. Does this mean the industry will be covered by this legislation until such time as new legislation is enacted or will it be exempted altogether?

I met several representatives of the greyhound industry in my clinic in Waterford. I am closely acquainted with some of these individuals and I greatly respect their judgment. They expressed concern that the six litter ban would eventually kill the industry in this country because only the best brood bitches have more than six litters. If this measure comes into force, many of these bitches will be exported to France and elsewhere. The effects will not be felt for two or three years but the industry will then begin to die. I do not see why it would not suffice to allow a vet to determine whether a bitch is able to have more than six litters.

The Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium in Waterford has attracted huge numbers of spectators thanks to its excellent facilities. I do not want the contribution it makes to the local economy to be damaged in any way.

I wonder how "breeding bitch" will be defined. A dog breeding establishment is defined as owning more than six breeding bitches. However, a bitch may not be used for breeding again if her first litter is not good enough and, while she is a bitch, she is not a breeding bitch.

Significant progress has been made on the inspection regime. A dog warden can make a report but it will be up to the local authority veterinary inspector to make the follow-up inspection, possibly accompanied by representatives from the relevant organisation. I welcome the Minister's announcement on fee exemptions for the HAI, IGB and ICC. Let us hope that by the time we vote on the Bill next Thursday we will have agreed legislation with which all of us can live.

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