Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My position on animals and greyhounds is well known. This issue was dealt with in Private Members' business some time ago and I also tried to bring foreard a Bill to ban live hare coursing. We have far too many examples of appalling ways in which animals are treated in this country and I want to acknowledge the individuals, families and organisations which do so much for animal welfare and try to redress that balance and address the cruelty, neglect and indifference to animals. It was positive that the Minister, Deputy Michael Creed, signed the regulation banning the use of wild animals in circuses which will come into effect on 1 January. He has said the use of wild animals for entertainment purposes in circuses can no longer be permitted and I agree with him. There is hypocrisy because we still allow animals like greyhounds to be used for entertainment in a way where they suffer injuries and where other animals are also injured. I would like to see more of the funding allocated today to be designated for welfare.

I met representatives of Bord na gCon when they were here and discussed these matters with them. I acknowledge those greyhound owners who look after their dogs but those who do not are not being addressed. We see that with those whose dogs have been found to have been doped. Funding should have a role in that regard. There should be a way in which funding will only go to those who have the welfare of the animals at heart. I know Bord na gCon has a retired greyhound trust to rehome greyhounds, but that is through a 2% deduction from all winning prize money and matching contributions from Bord na gCon, which I do not think goes far enough. It had a nice booklet about greyhounds making great pets with which I totally agree since I have met many of them, but it does not comprehensively address the welfare of greyhounds. We have evidence of owners who have no guilt or compunction and are ready to sell off unwanted greyhounds, as Deputy Paul Murphy said, to places such as Macau. The treatment is appalling and well documented. As well as Macau, they are going to other places in China and Pakistan. The owners are exporting greyhounds first to Spain and France in order that they are not seen to be going directly to Macau and elsewhere, but the trail is there. Animal welfare groups that trace the trail follow it back to greyhound owners in Ireland and have named them, but the owners get away with impunity. Bord na gCon could have a role in that regard and in dealing with those owners who abandon their greyhounds, openly or otherwise, to rescue centres.

We know that greyhounds are very affectionate creatures. We also know about the injuries and dogs that are put down because of them or because they have not made the cut. There is a big demand to try to re-home these greyhounds. My views on live hare coursing are well known. I do not believe we should do it any more.

7 o’clock

We have a lot of evidence from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Irish Council Against Blood Sports of what goes on at some hare coursing meetings. The hares are terrorised, struck multiple times by dogs and mauled to the ground. We are also aware of hares being brought back to other coursing meetings. There is plenty of footage available, but, again, there is no follow-up action for those found guilty. There is an alternative available: drag coursing. I ask Bord na gCon to consider using some of its funding to examine this alternative which has proved viable in other countries. It also had another nice booklet on loving and respecting its athletes which was about the greyhounds.

My point is that all greyhound owners pay their fee to the coursing club but many greyhound owners do not agree with coursing. Bord na gCon should hold the book to register greyhounds. We would then know exactly how many greyhound owners were in favour of coursing. This is public funding and the public have indicated in many surveys that they do not agree with live hare coursing, yet owners of greyhounds who do not agree with coursing have to pay their fee to the coursing club.

Let us consider the horse racing industry and the extent of its funding. What percentage goes towards the treatment of injuries, re-homing and animal welfare initiatives? Prize money accounts for more than half of the total expenditure of Horse Racing Ireland, the bulk of which goes to a specific group of racehorse owners, yet many stable staff, some of whom are on minimum wage, are enduring poor working conditions. The provision of funding could be contingent on meeting certain conditions, although I do not know why the horse racing industry cannot fund itself.

The horses that make the grade are treated very well, but what about the ones that do not? We have been told about bleeding lungs and gastric ulcers. How much of the fund goes towards treating injuries?

We also know about the money that is filtered down from Horse Racing Ireland to hunt clubs via point to point meeting grants. When we consider the funding going to the industry and that going to the animal welfare organisations, there is absolutely no match, yet the animal welfare organisations are picking up the pieces. There is hypocrisy in that regard. We have to be consistent; there has to be an adequate and a proper follow-up to the abuse of animals.

See this speech in context