Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I acknowledge that the Minister has made efforts in amendments to safeguard the concerns of people in relation to authorised persons. The concern related to the type of people entering premises in an unstructured disorganised manner, without proper notice, perhaps with a hidden agenda. Such people had sufficient powers of access to property without necessarily evincing the type of concern they should have in relation to welfare issues.

I acknowledge the Minister has gone a considerable distance in allaying fears. Nevertheless, he should understand the fears that people have, with perhaps animal rights people under the auspices of official positions being allowed under this legislation on the basis of working for a charity, as defined, to enter a property and engage in activities that go beyond the scope of the legislation. Those are the concerns people have. I shall withdraw the amendment on the basis that the Minister has made certain provisions later on in the legislation.

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