Results 841-860 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I remind the Deputies opposite that the working group was set up more than five years ago. More than 650 submissions were received after the publication of its report. The working group, set up under my predecessor, included the best experts from Veterinary Ireland and others.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I remind Deputies of its terms of reference. They were to examine the current position regarding the management of kennels and to make recommendations for such improvements. Essentially, this is what we have done.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: It is fine legislation and I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I regret that Sinn Féin cannot vote for the legislation.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Many Sinn Féin members should find the legislation perfectly acceptable. I believe that party is making a mistake by not voting for it because there is nothing to fear in this legislation for those who are genuinely concerned about animal welfare.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I thank my officials for their assistance and I hope that most Deputies who take an interest in animal welfare will vote for this legislation now.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I remind Deputies that the working group agreed on the definition as being based on the number of female dogs on a premises with breeding potential. The working group included a representative from Veterinary Ireland, the senior superintendent veterinary inspector of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Louth County veterinary inspector and the ISPCA inspectorate...

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: That is not true.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I move amendment No. 5: In page 4, line 18, to delete "4 months" and substitute "6 months".

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I do not propose to accept this amendment as it would have the effect of excluding hunt clubs from registration and inspection. The Hunting Association of Ireland publicly welcomed the regulation of dog-breeding establishments. I am willing to give hunt clubs the fee exemption in response to their financial concerns on the basis they are not commercial operations. However, it is important...

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: 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....

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Of course if people are carrying out their duties in a reasonable fashion, they have nothing whatsoever to fear. The people concerned have made it very clear that they are complying with the highest animal welfare standards. These inspections will not be on a regular basis, as some have said. According to the Bill, if an establishment is well run, inspections may be on an annual basis....

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I must mention another point the Deputy made. His colleagues earlier on, when the Deputy was not here-----

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Hold on, please. If the Deputy does not mind-----

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: No.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Earlier on I was accused of not consulting with people.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The Deputy was not even here for the debate, frankly, and he had to listen to his colleagues.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I have consulted widely, I have listened, and I will continue to listen. What we have here is a Bill that has resulted from the consensus that was developed.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: It is a reasonable Bill-----

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: -----and I hope that as a result of that consultation the Deputies will vote for this progressive Bill.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The legislation is absolutely clear, and I suggest that the Deputy read it. Inspections are a function of the local authority or an authorised person nominated by the local authority. That is the best way forward. There are individuals from the ISPCA who are interested in animal welfare. That is a point I wanted to make earlier but neglected to do so. Deputy Hogan mentioned animal...