Seanad debates

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill. Like Senator Bradford, I hope the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will not shut down rural sporting organisations and perhaps the Minister of State might provide a commitment in that regard when replying to Second Stage.

Some years ago, we used to look at English people as if they had two heads as a result of the care they gave to their dogs. There were those who stated that the English cared better for their dogs than they did for themselves. However, the position which obtains in this country now is quite similar to that which obtained in England in the past. We have come a long way and the majority of people take great care of their dogs and other pets.

The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 will put certain controls in place. In that context, those who breed dogs will not have anything to which to object in the context of the Bill. While they may object, they certainly do not have anything to fear.

I wish to inquire with regard to the inspection regime. I am delighted local authorities will be responsible for inspections and that a new agency will not be established. This Government and the two which preceded it put in place far too many agencies. As a result, there is a plethora of agencies and an additional cost is being imposed on those affected and on taxpayers in general. In this instance, however, the local authorities will have overall responsibility.

I accept that the cost of dog licences etc. have increased. The Minister indicated that the inspection regime will be cost-neutral in nature but I do not know how that can be the case, particularly when one considers the nature of the inspections and spot-checks that will have to be carried out. I am informed that if a person owns more than four hens, he or she is obliged to apply for a licence and an inspector must be despatched from Limerick to carry out an inspection. That is completely daft, particularly when one considers that inspectors, who are based in Limerick, might be obliged to travel to Donegal, Wexford or Carlingford, County Louth, to establish the position regarding the hens a person owns. Perhaps the Minister of State will clarify whether that is the position. I hope something similar will not obtain in respect of the inspection regime to be put in place under the provisions of this Bill.

Local authorities have done great work in the context of issuing licences in respect of abattoirs. With regard to animal welfare in general, the veterinary sections of local authorities are sound in nature and would be in a position to carry out inspections. When it comes to inspecting houses etc., however, local authorities do not have the necessary funding available to them. The Bill will impose an additional burden on local authorities and rate payers in respect of the new inspection regime. I hope, therefore, that the Government will provide extra funding to local authorities in order that they might put the necessary structures in place. The veterinary sections of some local authorities are extremely strong in terms of their performance. Others, however, are weaker in this regard. They will need to be strengthened to put the proper structures in place to handle what is proposed in the Bill. I hope the Government will be able to do that because it will require extra funding and manpower. There are areas in local authorities with an oversupply of staff who could be moved into the veterinary section. I hope that will be possible.

Dogs are very important. Guide dogs are very important to blind people and also give them great comfort. Sniffer dogs are used to detect drugs at our ports and prisons. As Senators Coffey and Bradford said, while we broadly support the Bill, certain provisions need to be changed. I hope the Minister will listen to the proposal made by a number of Senators from this side of the House in order to improve this important Bill. While we need controls, we do not want to see areas that have benefited from dogs, including hunting which is very important to the country, become a thing of the past in years to come.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.