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

I acknowledge the extent of the engagement the Minister of State has undertaken with the animal welfare groups but our amendments are about going that extra step to ensure our animals are not knowingly being sent to a country where they will be mistreated. Amendment No. 5 pertains to the list of non-EU countries meeting minimum standards. Implementing it would be just a matter of employing somebody who can do research. We could know exactly where those countries are where there is no animal welfare legislation or where there is a little and it is not enforced.

Amendment No. 6 is not necessarily about wishing to fine and prosecute people. We have tabled it in order that owners will know that if they send their dogs to these countries, there will be consequences for them, whether in terms of a fine or a prison sentence. Let us not be under any illusion, unless a dog owner who sells a greyhound is 100% sure about where the dog is going, he or she knows it is not going to doggy heaven but instead is going to one of these countries. What happens if a greyhound is found, as has happened, being mistreated in Macau or Pakistan and is traced back to an owner in Ireland? What will happen to that owner? Will he or she get a slap on the wrist or will anything happen? There has to be a warning to other owners that this is being looked at and it will not be tolerated.

Amendment No. 7 is about transparency. I accept it might be difficult to have an annual report but surely we should be able to get some information on where the dogs are going. I do not understand why we do not have this information. Since last November, many more Irish greyhounds have ended up in China. We now know there are 41 Irish greyhounds on a Chinese dog breeding list. I would like to know what is happening with them. We know what happens in our puppy farms and we can only imagine what happens in the breeding establishments in those countries.

Previously, I have mentioned the greyhound Clon Eagle, which competed in Clonmel in 2018. It is now coursing in Pakistan. On a post I saw, it was advertised for sale for £5,000 sterling by an infamous sales agent and transporter who had his greyhounds seized in Kinsley track in the UK such were the horrific conditions they were in. What will the Bill do to prevent this and, when it happens, to ensure there are harsh repercussions?

Another issue is Brexit. With the UK out of the EU there will be a further minefield for Irish greyhounds and what might happen them. I want the Bill to do well but other animal welfare Bills have left loopholes and gaps and we are trying to avoid this with these amendments.

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