Results 221-240 of 5,615 for speaker:Andrew Doyle

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (20 Dec 2018)

Andrew Doyle: Yes. I thank the Senators. I will speak on amendment No. 23, which is in the name of Senators Ó Domhnaill and Norris, regarding the stringent prohibition in line with best international practice. To insert the words being proposed instead of the words "residue limits" would be to remove Rásaíocht Con Éireann's powers to set limits for ordinary animal remedies. Second,...

European Investment Fund Agreement Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank all the Deputies who contributed and welcome the fact that they all indicated that they would support this Bill. As I stated at the outset, this Bill is urgent as it will give both Ministers the power to sign an agreement with the European Investment Fund by the end of the year for the purposes of launching the future growth loan scheme in early 2019. The scheme is a key Brexit...

European Investment Fund Agreement Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).

European Investment Fund Agreement Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome this opportunity to present the European Investment Fund Agreement Bill 2018 to the House. This short technical Bill will enable the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to enter into agreements with the European Investment Fund, known as the EIF, to facilitate...

Climate Change: Statements (6 Dec 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I am pleased to present the annual transition statement on the agriculture, forest and land use sector on behalf of the Department and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. As one of the key sectors involved in the first national mitigation plan, it is only right to restate the vision for the sector which is an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land use...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Dec 2018)

Andrew Doyle: The Deputy outlined many issues in the beef sector. On the specific issue of trimming, I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, that the Department is providing additional resources for on-the-floor monitoring of the current situation. He has asked to be kept appraised. It is unacceptable if excess trimmings are being taken from...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Report Stage (29 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I will discuss amendments Nos. 1 to 15, inclusive. Amendments Nos. 5 to 13, inclusive, and amendment No. 15 are consequential to other amendments in this group. When Indecon carried out its review of Bord na gCon in 2014, the organisation had debts of €23 million, largely due to the investment in Limerick stadium. This debt has hindered the development of the industry ever since....

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Report Stage (29 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: It is amendment No. 3. Senator Ó Domhnaill's amendment No. 14 concerns board members stepping down immediately once their term ends. The current wording is a safeguarding provision and is a standard provision in modern legislation, including the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016. The board will have to take into account the skill gaps that have to be filled at any point in time. This...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Report Stage (29 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: It is.

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Report Stage (29 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: As I stated on Committee Stage, I am opposed in principle to compelling Rásaíocht Con Éireann to make regulations. The provisions set out here are enabling provisions, all of which may not be required to be made at this time. By necessity, this is an exhaustive list of the principles and policies which Rásaíocht Con Éireann may wish to regulate for. It was...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Report Stage (29 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: With regard to section 26 and to deal with the Senator's amendments, the Irish Coursing Club, ICC, is responsible for the identification and registration of greyhounds in the Irish greyhound stud book. Detailed rules governing the practice of artificial insemination of greyhounds were set down in the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations, SI 561 of 2005. They were made by Bord...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank Senators Ruane and Ó Domhnaill for the amendments. I hope it was helpful to have time outside of the Chamber to discuss some of the concerns. I propose to address amendments Nos. 7 to 16, inclusive, together. With regard to amendments Nos. 7 to 10, inclusive, 11 to 13, inclusive, and 15, I am opposed in principle to compelling Rásaíocht Con Éireann to make...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators. To clarify the position for Senator Higgins, I have dealt with amendment No. 14. I note that, as currently drafted, section 29 states: "The Board, after consultation with the Minister, may make regulations for the health and welfare of racing greyhounds in relation to the following". I tried to explain that the word "may" is used specifically for...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I addressed that issue. To return to section 29, we should be wary in this regard because these provisions provide an extra layer of protection for racing animals that is intended to bolster rather than conflict with existing legislation. That is the important point. Sanctions can be applied under these provisions, as opposed to taking action through the criminal law, as provided for in...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I know these are sincerely held views and I hope Senator Ruane can accept we are trying to make this legislation work. That is the bottom line. This is for racing greyhounds so that there can be sanctions in the same way as with breaches in other areas. We have gone through this list of breaches, whether on traceability or anything else. Sections 26, 27 and 28 deal extensively with the...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: If we look at section 29(2) it states: "A person who contravenes a regulation made under this section, and which is stated in the regulations to be a racing sanction provision, commits a sanction breach of the Racing code and is liable to a racing sanction." It is important to point out that this carries a lower burden of proof than an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. I...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: Amendments Nos. 8a, 8c and 8e are to correct errors of a typographical or technical nature in particular. Amendment 8e corrects the original wording which suggested that the control committee had discretion in deciding the period during which a greyhound may not race following an adverse analytical finding and subsequent clear test. In fact, the period is decided by the board based on the...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: On Senator Ó Domhnaill's amendments, the proposals for strict zero tolerance and a four-month minimum ban are rooted in the legislation as drafted. The applicable clause is based on scientific data and evidence. I accept what the Senator said about Australia and their laboratory levels but our equipment is so sophisticated now that it can detect levels that are minuscule and...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: As it stands at the moment, Bord na gCon has a scientific advisory committee that advises on thresholds. The equipment it has is very sophisticated. As far as I am aware, it has decided to publish every result, every positive finding, no matter how minuscule. Once that finding is published, it is determined to be a positive. Scientific data is used to determine whether the levels...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2018)

Andrew Doyle: The Senator referenced international best practice. Even by his own admission in respect of the Australian model, he said zero tolerance is not zero levels. The inference is that zero tolerance is zero tolerance of the infringement. Zero levels is slightly different. I believe we are on the same page here. We both want zero tolerance. I refer to Senator Ruane's analogy. Dogs and...