Dáil debates

Thursday, 8 July 2010

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

1:00 pm

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Section 1(3) states: "This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or provisions." This is something the Minister did not deal with in his speech on Second Stage. Perhaps he will clarify that he missed a paragraph of his speech on that occasion dealing with a commencement order in respect of this legislation on 1 January 2011. What he is saying effectively is that, notwithstanding what is agreed or disagreed in the House, the Act will come into operation after such time as the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will have an opportunity to amend the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 in the autumn. Will the Minister clarify if this means he can implement regulations on 1 January 2011, irrespective of what is agreed with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or new animal welfare regulations or legislation brought forward by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the autumn, or can he supersede those powers by introducing his own regulations? Clarity is required on that issue.

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