Results 2,001-2,020 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Garda Stations (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister of State. I know she is not responsible for this Department or for the response she just gave, but the response was, to say the least, pitiful and shameful. It did not address in any way the concerns of people living in my area. We all know the Commissioner is responsible for detailed allocation of resources - there is nothing new in that - but the Commissioner can...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I appreciate exactly where the Minister is coming from because he is covering a very wide range of farming activities and malpractices. While I take on board the Minister's explanation, the Minister "may" pay compensation for animals removed under the disease programmes whereas the current Diseases of Animals Act states the Minister "shall" pay compensation, not "may". That is where the...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 36: In page 29, subsection (1), line 22, to delete "one or more persons as valuers" and substitute "a panel of valuers". This amendment relates to the section dealing with valuations and seeks to establish a panel of valuers. Farmers would thus be allowed to select from a panel of valuers, instead of the wording currently in section 32(1) which states that the Minister...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is something in that region but I am only guessing. In that case, instead of having a prescriptive list, we are seeking a wider, open one. If all the valuers are on the Department's list in any event, it should be opened out so that farmers can select one from the entire list.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: No.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 40: In page 30, lines 17 to 21, to delete subsection (9). This amendment seeks to delete subsection (9). That subsection states that the Minister may issue guidelines relating to the valuation of an animal, animal product, feed or other thing relating to the farm animal, or an arbiter may have regard to those guidelines. The subsection is very prescriptive and sets out...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I accept that.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 41: In page 30, line 37, to delete "arbitration" and substitute the following: "an arbitration panel which includes a representative of the applicant and". The Bill states that if the Minister or owner of the farm animal product, animal feed or any other thing relating to the farm animal is dissatisfied with the second valuation he or she may, not later than 14 days from...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: So, there is no change to schemes such as the BSE scheme where an outbreak occurs?

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 43: In page 32, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following paragraph: "(d) shall inform the owner of the independent appeals process to the decision and the associated timeframe.". This amendment seeks to insert a new paragraph (d) which states: "shall inform the owner of the independent appeals process to the decision and the associated timeframe." This relates to...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the Minister's clarification and I appreciate what he stated. Amendment No. 48 relates to going to court and all this brings with it. This would create an exposure to the taxpayer because the Department would have to represent the taxpayer in court which would cost money if the case is lost. I argue the State would be further exposed by having a system whereby the District Court...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: In light of what the Minister has said I will not press the amendment.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 44: In page 32, subsection (1), line 29, after "regulations" to insert the following: "based on sound scientific information and the cost benefit of such". This relates to the regulations the Minister will make under the legislation on preventing or minimising the risk or spread of disease, controlling and eradicating disease or a disease agent, protecting or enhancing...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 45: In page 33, lines 36 to 40, to delete subsection (1). I intend to withdraw this amendment because it is far too sweeping. There has been a great deal of discussion on the position regarding authorised officers since the amendment was first formulated. While I will withdraw the amendment, I seek an explanation from the Minister in respect of authorised officers....

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister for engaging constructively with the House. He listened to what was said in the Chamber and came back with this amendment which takes into account the concerns we expressed the other day. We are perfectly happy to accept the amendment.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister for considering this issue and reverting to us with a Government amendment which I am willing to accept. The concerns expressed by farming organisations on section 27 related to the requirement to procure the services of a veterinary practitioner where a protected animal needed to be put down, thereby incurring additional expense for the farmer. The revised amendment...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to refer generally to section 25. Bearing in mind what the Minister said, codes of conduct have garnered many views and opinions within farming organisations. Currently, voluntary codes of practice are in place, many of which were written by Teagasc and which work effectively. The argument of farming organisations and farmers is that they are licensed to the Department through flock...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 31: In page 28, subsection (1)(h), line 5, to delete "identified" and substitute "possible to identify". Section 31 deals with compensation to farmers. The issue will affect farmers because the compensation arrangements will be changed. Section 31(1) states: "The Minister may, subject to this Part, pay compensation." Until now there have been various compensation...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: This is section 31.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Acting Chairman has me confused. I was calling him Donald Trump this morning because of his hairstyle and he has since gone with the haircut.