Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

We spoke yesterday in the House about the care of disabled persons and persons in nursing homes. We have a long way to go in those two areas from a regulatory point of view.

In a sense it is ironic that we are debating the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill and the regulations to apply to the breeding of dogs. A significant number of people in rural Ireland have a difficulty with the Bill in that they see in it a Trojan horse that might have a negative impact on some rural sports and traditions.

I wish to talk about two aspects, first, the broader need to put in place a framework to deal with puppy farms, as they are so termed, and, second, the possible negative impact of the legislation on country sports. I very much welcome the fact that dog breeding establishments, or puppy farms, are being regulated. I have been concerned for some time by what appears to be the grave mistreatment of animals in puppy farms. We see advertisements in newspapers and websites and note the growing number of establishments that have cropped up over the past decade. Huge profits are being made from backyard enterprises. There have been many media investigations and reports into the very improper standards that apply in these places. This is appropriate and the fact that this type of puppy or animal breeding establishment is to be regulated will be welcomed by every Member of the House. This is only fair and proper and will have the support of everybody.

The other side of the coin, as the Minister of State will know from written representations he will have received in his Department, similar to those we all have received as public representatives, is that there is a profound and genuine fear that the application of the legislation, particularly to hunt clubs, is the first step on the part of some politicians to bring an end to rural sports. There is significant disappointment among hunt clubs that what appeared to have been a cast-iron guarantee given by the Minister's predecessors in the Department that such regulations would not apply to them has come to naught.

I appreciate what the previous speaker, Senator Boyle, said regarding the need for regulation. Other speakers asked why we should be afraid of shining a light. However, people who are involved in country sports, especially those in hunt clubs and in the breeding of dogs for hunting purposes, carry out their activities with absolute propriety. The standard of care, hygiene and attention given to these dogs is second to none. If the pups bred for hunting purposes are not well cared for, they simply will not carry out the purpose for which they were bred. It has always been in the interests of hunt clubs to do their business very properly and thoroughly. They have done so and the record speaks for itself. An examination of any kennels of this kind will show clearly that sufficient rules and regulations are already in place. As the Minister will be aware, hunt clubs throughout the country are genuinely and deeply concerned. I inform Senator Boyle of their concern that this is the first step in bringing not only their business but their sport and way of life to an end. The majority of representatives in the Houses of the Oireachtas, including me, want to see Irish rural life and its traditions continuing. They want to see one of our ancient sports - hunting - continuing.

There has been great progress in animal welfare.

During the past three days, tens of thousands of people have attended the national coursing meeting in Clonmel. For many years, hare coursing was the subject of a great deal of debate. However, new regulations were introduced and provision was made in respect of the muzzling of hounds. To any fair-minded individual, it is obvious the current system works well. Regardless of whether it is hunting or politics, it will never be possible to arrive at a nirvana state of absolute perfection. However, hare coursing is an extremely popular sport in rural areas and the current system relating to it works well. Hunt clubs and kennels operate in a proper manner and people look after their dogs in an extremely acceptable fashion. There is no need to bring down the heavy hand of State law - in the form of the legislation before the House - on those hunt clubs.

Committee Stage will be interesting in that Members will be in a position to read into the record what previous Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government said regarding this matter and the commitments they gave in respect of it. We will also try to elicit from the Minister a response as to why he changed departmental policy. Fine Gael will certainly be tabling amendments that will be designed to seek proper exemptions for hunt clubs.

Animal welfare is the main issue with which the Bill deals. There have been some interesting contributions from colleagues in respect of this matter. Consideration must be given to the dog licensing system, which is a joke in its current format. We must continue to impress upon people that dogs and other pets are not just for Christmas, they are a long-term commitment. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of cruelty to animals in this country. As a result, there is a need for regulation and a proper monitoring system. However, there is also a need to strike a balance. It is for the latter reason that I am disappointed about the application of the regulations to the broader sector of country sports.

I welcome the fact we are debating this matter and that the position with regard to so-called puppy farms will be legislated for, monitored and properly regulated. Those who run dog breeding establishments of a commercial nature in a proper fashion have nothing to fear from the legislation.

I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, will impress upon the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, concerns to the effect that the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill will, if Members will excuse the pun, become a Trojan horse in the context of rural sports. That would be an extremely regrettable development. The customs, habits and traditions of rural Ireland have existed for millennia and will, I hope, remain long after we are gone. There is a degree of threat - I do not know the extent to which this is the case - to some of those traditions within the legislation. We should attempt to lay those concerns to rest and to deal with any outstanding issues on Committee Stage.

I hope the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will come before the House to take the debate on Committee Stage, particularly in view of the fact that we wish to put questions to him with regard to why the U-turn to which I refer has taken place. I would like the Minister to give the House a commitment to the effect that he has no intention of trying either to shut down rural sports or bring the rural way of life to an end. From the Government's perspective and that of the Green Party, it is important that the Minister of State should place on record his appreciation of the fact that the traditions and customs of rural Ireland are valuable. These traditions and customs are part of the fabric of life in rural areas and they must be maintained.

Regardless of whether it is the coursing meeting at Clonmel, the point-to-point meeting at Dromahane, the Curragh races or the Duhallow Hunt in my area, which is the oldest hunt club in the world, these institutions are extremely important and valuable to the country from the point of view of attracting tourism and advertising income. Long may they continue. The enforcement of the legislation must be monitored closely to ensure that doubts will not surround the future of the associations, groups, peoples and communities to which I refer and which mean so much in the context of rural life.