Results 1,881-1,900 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I introduced one.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: This Bill seeks to ensure that we are dealing not just with the question of animal welfare, but that the dog breeding establishments will benefit. We already have a problem as we have a reputation for being the dog breeding capital of Europe, with all the animal welfare issues associated with that. This means that we are not held in high esteem, and one only has to read some of the articles...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I will try to cut this short but I do wish to respond to some of the points that were made. I thank Deputy Bradford-----

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I was thinking of the future. I thank Senator Bradford for his measured contribution which stands in stark contrast with that of Senator Cummins. The latter's contribution was somewhat emotive and headline-grabbing in nature. It is important that we should have a balanced debate on this matter. In the context of what Senator Callely stated, this matter has nothing to do with the Ward Union...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: It is unfortunate that people have sought to confuse these issues. This is a straightforward item of legislation which has been planned for over five years. I assure Senators that there are no hidden agendas or anything of that sort. Senator Callely also referred to amendments being put forward by members of his party. I was happy to attend the meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: It is not a point of order and I did not write any such letter. I explained that on the first occasion on which I contributed to the debate on this Bill in the Seanad.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Senator Bradford indicated that he wanted to engage in a dialogue on this matter. If we are going to become involved in bickering, etc., we will not make much progress. I have taken note of the comments made by Senators on all sides and I will consider what has been said. If Senator Coffey withdraws his amendment, I will return to the matter on Report Stage.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I thank the Senator for his amendment. As I indicated previously, however, I will ensure the draft regulations are subject to consultation with all the interested parties before I sign them into law. It is important these regulations are consistently applied throughout the State. Giving the power to local authorities to have their own local conditions or guidelines would not assist in...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I fully understand the intent behind the amendment and emotionally I have much sympathy for it. The idea of the amendment would be to instruct a local authority to withhold registration from those who may have certain convictions, especially for cruelty to animals. It would seem to create a blanket provision because it would not matter how old the convictions were or under what...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Not the members but the officers. It will be a local authority itself.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: After the Bill is enacted I am sure it will be appropriate in instances for members to raise issues such as this in a council chamber to state a person has been convicted of treating animals with a certain amount of cruelty and to express a view that the person will continue to act in this way. However, discretion is the order of the day. Putting it in cast-iron terms that under no...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I have no doubt that the people involved in the dog breeding industry are reasonable for the most part and I have no reason to believe standards are not being upheld. I have no difficulty with engaging in consultations. I have indicated to my officials that they should meet interested parties and they have done so on several occasions. That is as it should be. In regard to Senator Mullen's...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I do not know whether this amendment fits perfectly under subsection (12), which deals solely with the display of the registration certificate. This subsection stands alone as an important provision which seeks to ensure transparency for the consumer. It is important that any customer of a dog breeding establishment be informed that the establishment is registered because this is an...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: That is fine.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I am sympathetic because in the way he has worded the amendment Senator Mullen has referred to "any other matter that significantly affects the welfare of the dogs." I also have to ensure that we have legal clarity. Section 11 provides for the removal of a dog breeding establishment from the register in certain circumstances which are outlined in the legislation. They include by order of...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: It raises an interesting issue because, as Senator Mullen might be aware, there are those who would argue that those who carry out the inspections should be veterinary experts and that perhaps they would have a different point of view than those laypersons who have an interest in animal welfare. They would have different perspectives. Therefore, if one had a provision of this type one might...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I thank Senator Coffey for his proposal and his amendment. It is interesting that he mentioned the means by which the second homes levy is now paid. I recall that a certain amount of doubt was cast in this House about whether it would be successful.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Senator Coffey would agree that it has been enormously successful.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: No. I have a clear recollection of that debate.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I do not wish to be prescriptive about this. We are not talking about mass payment. There is a limited number of dog breeding establishments. At this stage local authorities are quite experienced in processing payments for rent, rates or levies of any description. They generally operate a range of payment mechanisms to facilitate easy payment. It is not necessary for the Minister to...