Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Amendment No. 6 in my name deals with the same issue in terms of the definition whereby a particular number of bitches constitute a litter and a breeding establishment. The points made by Deputies Ferris and Carey are worthy of consideration. In practical terms, there is an onerous responsibility, including a financial responsibility, on individual greyhound breeders in whose interest it is to ensure a high level of animal welfare as their pups will be for sale. These people are not involved in breeding bitches on their premises for the purpose of cruelty to animals. They are involved in so doing for the purpose of economic value and of assisting an industry which has been going through a difficult time recently, as is the case in respect of most rural pursuit industries. They are involved not alone for disposable income reasons but in respect of the economic value of the animals they have for sale. There must be practical implementation in respect of this measure.

The Minister was not fully up to speed in the Seanad debate on the implications of the Greyhound Act 1958 in regard to the registration and marking of animals. I am aware that the Minister has since then had several meetings with members of the Irish Coursing Club and Irish greyhound industry. I am sure he is now more familiar with the activities of people involved in breeding and offering pups for sale. Animal welfare issues are important to these people. They have a vested interest in ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare. I noted that at the time. I know the Minister has had several meetings with people involved in the Irish Coursing Club and the Irish Greyhound Industry since then and I am sure he is more familiar with the activities of people who are involved in breeding and also offering pups for sale. He knows that animal welfare issues are very important to those people. They have a vested interest in ensuring they have the highest standards of animal welfare. I ask the Minister to look again at the amendments to see how we can implement them in a practical way with a view to achieving the objective. I do not think anybody is going out on a limb or displaying the level of zealousness that the Minister has shown in animal welfare issue. The Minister is trying to create a perception that nobody else is interested in animal welfare. That is not the position. We have argued the case. We want to ban puppy farms where animals are being exploited but we want to ensure the implementation of rules and standards in dog breeding establishments, that are not only in compliance with the law but can be implement in practice so that dog owners and breeders are able to get on with their business as they have done for many years, without a poor record being cited.

The transportation of animals, particularly greyhounds, to places outside the jurisdiction caused me to worry about animal welfare issues. People who are involved in the breeding of these animals in this jurisdiction do an excellent job.

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