Feargal Quinn (Independent)

This is a much needed Bill in light of the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimate that up to 1,000 puppies a week are exported from Ireland to countries where there is much greater regulation. This Bill is also an appropriate occasion on which to ask the question of what we do with stray dogs. According to the Government's figures, more than 12,500 stray and abandoned dogs were euthanised in Ireland in 2007, the equivalent of 34 dogs every day. In Scotland, a country of similar size, only around 350 dogs were euthanised in the same period. The figures for Ireland included puppies and pedigree dogs, so obviously too many dogs are bred in this country. I hope this Bill will make people think twice before they breed dogs in search of a quick profit.

I must declare an interest. For many years I hunted with the Fingal Harriers and the Ward Union Hunt. In Britain, the ban on hunting shows the clear division between city and country. I would hate to see this happen in this country. Senator O'Toole suggested one way to solve this might be to hand over hunting regulation enforcement to local authorities. For example, Meath County Council could decide if it would allow hunting.

The Minister said he negotiated with the hunting associations regarding this legislation. I was approached by the Ward Union about its concerns with the Bill and it certainly does not believe it is getting a fair deal. Its representatives said to me the debate affords an opportunity for the Minister to keep faith with written commitments given by him and his predecessors to the hunting associations. I understand the commitments were that hunt kennels would be exempt from the terms of the Bill. However, as it stands drafted, scores of hunt club kennels would be caught within its strictures. Will the Minister explain to me if that is so?

The Bill has always been promoted, according to the hunt associations, as one to deal with the issue of commercial puppy farming. Since hunt clubs do not breed pups on a commercial basis but only to renew the number of hounds in their own pack, they believe they should be excluded from the Bill. The former Minister, Deputy Dick Roche, assured the associations they were not part of the problem and would therefore not be part of the solution. The Minister, Deputy John Gormley, wrote to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 15 February 2008 stating:

Given that the primary objective of the proposed regulations is to regulate commercial dog breeding, and in view of the strict standards which apply to the members of the Hunting Association of Ireland, it is my intention that groups affiliated to the HAI be granted an exemption from the requirements of the regulations.

The Minister has not given any reason he has executed such a major policy U-turn in defiance of an undertaking given by his predecessor and his own clear commitment in writing to a Cabinet colleague.

The Bill will allow inspectors to prosecute breeders who keep their animals in cruel and unhygienic conditions. The obvious question of enforcement arises. Will there be enough staff to oversee this increase in inspections? Several local authorities did not prosecute anyone for not having a dog licence last year. How will more enforcement of dog licences be pressed? It is an offence to have a dog over the age of four months without a licence. By lowering this limit, a person might be less inclined, where their dog has puppies, to get rid of them before they reach four months old to avoid the costs of obtaining a dog licence.

There could also be a provision in the Bill for a mandatory inspection of dogs being exported. It could be an obligation on ferry companies to inspect dogs if more than a certain number are being transported to ensure their documents and licences are inspected and they have been treated humanely.

There was a shocking recent investigation into the famous Crufts dog show by the BBC. It found the way pedigree dogs were bred for such shows meant they were at great risk of health problems and that many of the dogs suffered from genetic diseases after years of in-breeding. We have to look at this sort of negligence by puppy farms. It is not the usual and overt mistreatment but something less well-known.

A report by the University of Cambridge professor, Patrick Bateson, which took ten months, has recommended the compulsory microchipping of all puppies in the UK, along with the creation of an independent council on dog breeding and beefing up an accreditation scheme for breeders. Lessons can be learned from this. Pedigree breeding is quite prevalent in Ireland and we must ensure such animals do not suffer unduly because of the way they are bred. I am interested in the Minister's view on this less obvious form of dog abuse.

The Bill is necessary. I was unaware of the problems and practices in dog breeding. Tackling this is worthy and I support it. I would like my queries about the inclusion of hunt clubs to be addressed. The Minister during his speech gave the impression the hunting associations and the greyhound industry support this Bill. That does not seem to be the case from the reports I have received. Will the Minister address the concerns of the Hunting Association of Ireland and the Ward Union Hunt?