John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Amendments Nos. 41 and 42 provide for the tattooing of hunt dogs and maintaining a separate register. I accept tattooing is the traditional method for traceability in this sector and I believe there should be no undermining of such measures. I hope all Members will agree that having in place a method for tracing pups is essential in ensuring high standards of animal welfare are maintained. However, in the long term, microchipping is far more effective. I am happy to listen to what the Opposition has to say on these issues. We do have a certain amount of time - up to 4.10 p.m.

To return to the point made by Deputy Ferris, in the conversations we have had with stakeholders we have taken many of their concerns into consideration. From the Deputies' point of view, it is important to remember that Bord na gCon is now, for the most part, in agreement with what is in the legislation and with the amendments I am tabling. Similarly, the hunt clubs had a meeting yesterday with representatives from the Government side, and they appear to be happy with the way things are going. I ask Deputies to bear that in mind.

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