Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

I support the Bill, as does my party. Sinn Féin believes it is unacceptable that animals may be kept in poor conditions not conducive to their welfare, and it is unfortunate that due to the actions of a very small minority Ireland has a poor reputation with regard to the welfare of greyhounds.

In recent months, I have received multiple representations from constituents in Laois-Offaly regarding the issue of exporting greyhounds to China. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food refused to sign off on this proposal and the Minister stated Bord na gCon has dropped it. However, there is still a lack of clarity on whether greyhounds will be able to be exported to China via a third state. Regardless, it is unfortunate that the Bill will have no impact on this particular issue.

While the public has quite rightly been vocal about the possible export of greyhounds to China, we must be aware that some in Ireland are no strangers to inflicting cruelty on these creatures. As has been stated, most owners look after their dogs extremely well. I recall a BBC report from a few years ago which detailed the prosecution of several people after animal welfare officers found dozens of greyhounds being transported in terrible conditions between this State and Spain. In this case, 36 animals were discovered in cramped conditions without sufficient food or water for their 38 hour journey to Barcelona. According to the report, the 36 dogs were placed in 20 cages and travelled for 18 hours by ferry and then 20 by road, stopping for a water break only once. Four of the dogs were taken out on a stop in France to be exercised while the rest remained caged for the 750 mile journey in 40° heat. The cage sizes meant the majority of dogs could not stand at their natural height and as they shared a cage they could not sit or lie at the same time. It is beyond me that anyone would consider it acceptable to treat an animal in this manner. I hope the legislation will go some way towards addressing this type of appalling treatment of animals.

I commend the valuable work of the greyhound rescue associations operating nationwide. These organisations work on a voluntary basis to provide shelter for dogs that have been discarded by some owners like yesterday's rubbish. I applaud their recent initiative to promote greyhounds as pets. It will capture the public imagination and it signals that greyhounds are not different from other dogs such as labradors and spaniels and do not deserve to be treated cruelly.

The Bill makes provision to ensure dog breeding establishments which do not meet minimum requirements will be forced to close, with the result that new and remaining establishments will provide a better environment for dogs. I hope there will not be a delay in ending the practice of allowing people engaged in cruelty to continue their business. Furthermore, I hope local authorities will not be inhibited from carrying out their duties as a result of the cost of enforcement and reductions in their budgets. I ask the Minister of State to pay sufficient attention to the work done by local authorities in policing cruelty to animals and monitoring stray dogs. Local authority staff, including housing staff such as tenant liaison officers, have prevented cruelty to dogs, horses and other animals. I ask the Minister to work with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on this matter. I urge him to issue the commencement order and ensure the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2010 is signed as soon as this legislation has completed all Stages.

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