Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I agree with my colleagues across the Chamber. I appeal at this late stage to the Minister to consider the amendments. We have had many meetings, and they were not in smoke-filled rooms. I assure Deputy Hogan that I attended all the meetings up to last week. The meetings are ongoing. I concur with my south Tipperary colleague. The greyhound industry is a vital one. The Government took severe austerity measures to try to stabilise the economy and get people back to work yet in this case we have an industry but we are putting people out of work. That is why I cannot support the Bill. At this late stage I urge the Minister to listen to the sensible requests from the Opposition.

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