Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Bill in principle but with some slight reservations. It is incumbent on the Government to act and root out the very cruel puppy farms that obviously exist, some of which are for dog fighting and illegal activity. Some of the people involved have taken part in other activities in the past, some may be paramilitary and some may be involved in illegal drugs, betting and gambling. There are such circles and it is very important that they are rooted out.

My reservations relate to the greyhound industry, which is already covered by the Irish Greyhound Board. There are very strict guidelines, rules and regulations in place. Some notes I received in recent days indicate there will be a special meeting of the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to examine the dangerous situation facing the greyhound and horse racing industries from a commercial point of view. They are going through a difficult period. The greyhound industry creates employment, sport and entertainment as well as the horse racing industry and one has no wish to introduce measures that would damage this very important industry in some way. It is important to note as much.

I have received a great deal of communication from both sides, from the extreme left to the extreme right and it is important to have a balanced view. I refer to the Irish Coursing Club. I have no big axe to grind against coursing per se, whether on one side or the other. I was never at a coursing meeting in my life. I have seldom attended a greyhound track, perhaps only a dozen times. Given proper curtailment and regulation, it has a role to play in rural Ireland. A trainer may have a number of bitches on his premises for the sole purpose of racing. Such a person would be licensed by the IGB, the Irish Greyhound Board, and upon the conclusion of a racing career the owners take charge of his or her greyhound. In such cases, the trainer is not managing greyhounds for the purposes of breeding per se. Some of these points are very valid and should be considered. It should also be remembered that under current coursing rules and regulations, all stud dogs and brood bitches are DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, profiled. There is a register of all matings and litters born, the adult greyhound name and transfers of ownership etc. These points should be borne in mind.

I have no great role to play. However, I remember a case involving the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in a remote part of west Cork. The gentleman in question has long gone to his eternal reward. A substantial article appeared in a prominent newspaper. This took place, probably between 15 and 20 years ago. The case highlighted and brought attention to an animal. It was not a greyhound, it was a donkey but I use it as a case in point. Its hooves were not pared, it was old and probably somewhat neglected. A photograph of the donkey was taken from a car or over a ditch. When the case was investigated further and eventually came before the court, it was dismissed. That old man who has since died was caring for his mother who was in her mid-90s. He had no running water, no electricity, no bathroom or toilet, his roof was leaking and he was living in dire conditions. What came out in the court case was that somebody had blown this out of proportion. In dismissing the animal cruelty case the judge said the two people living in the house were living in much more cruel circumstances than the poor donkey. The circumstances of the case should have been investigated. The man in question had a disability and was living with his elderly mother. I do not like overkill or extremists.

It is natural for a dog to chase a rabbit. When I was a kid, we dazzled rabbits at night and sold them for a half crown or three shillings a piece. We made a few bob pocket money. It was hard going both for me and the dog and we had a very good one. My father would give out to the dog who would lie under the table for the next couple of days unable to move - a little like myself. There can be overkill about what happens in rural Ireland. I am not trying to water it down but one must look at the reality.

There is a proposal to increase the dog licence fee. Does this apply to all dog licence holders? If it does, I earnestly request the Minister to consider providing an exemption for old age pensioners who may live alone and have dogs as pets. I would also like to see such an exemption extended to the long-term unemployed. Some years ago I met a man whom I knew from my school days. Things went wrong for him in life and he suffered a little from depression and alcohol abuse. Eventually, he got a dog and obtained pleasure from walking it every day. He found it difficult to feed and care for it but it was a great outlet for him and encouraged him to go out into the community. He loved it dearly but on one occasion came to me to say he found it difficult to pay the licence fee. If there is to be an across the board increase in the licence fee, we should think about those going through difficult times. I know people who love their dogs. A dog is a man's and, in some cases, a woman's best friend and very dear and important to him or her. Perhaps the Minister will consider my proposal sympathetically.

Hunting in Ireland dates back to prehistoric times. Hunting is part of the story of Cuchulainn. Hunting is natural but it must be controlled. As I said, I broadly welcome the principle behind the Bill which I will support. Perhaps, as it passes through the House, some of the points sincerely made by colleagues across the divide will be taken on board because we do not want to bring forward regulations which certainly are needed in a fashion that will damage the greyhound and hunting industries. I know the Minister will listen to our valid complaints.