Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Ar dtús báire ba mhaith liom mo leithscéal a ghabháil nach bhfuil an tAire, Deputy Gormley, ar fáil ar an bpointe seo. Bhí air imeacht go práinneach, ach d'iarr sé orm labhairt ar a shon.

I thank Senators for their positive contributions to the Second Stage debate. I thank them for their general support for the Bill and assure them that the Minister, Deputy Gormley, is mindful of the matters raised in the debate and looks forward to examining these issues in greater detail as it progresses through Committee and Report Stages. He is fully committed to working constructively with Senators to deal with these and any further matters that may arise. It is his belief, as he stated when presenting the Bill to the House, that this legislation will address the two key issues which remain outstanding since the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1998 were brought into force, the regulation of dog breeding establishments and the updating of the licence fee for dogs from its 1998 level of €12.70.

Senators Coffey, Glynn and others questioned the extent of consultation in relation to the Bill. I reiterate that the preparation of this Bill has involved a large amount of ongoing consultation with a variety of interested parties, Departments of Government and voluntary bodies as well as dog interests, including the Hunting Association of Ireland, HAI.