Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the Minister's openness in his address and his indication that true consultation and representation brought us to this point. I hope we will be able to continue in that frame.

I grew up with a dog in the house and have lived with a dog in my house ever since, including my beautiful west highland terrier that I enjoy personally. I have a great love for the simplistic pleasures of having a dog and the benefits that accrue to a family from having a dog. I certainly abhor puppy farming.

I took an interest in the Dog Breeding Establishment Bill as it was passing through the House and listened with interest to the Minister's address to my parliamentary party, where there were a number of representations made to him. The Minister is aware of our concerns and I support Senator Coffey in his remarks, and I am glad to hear he is prepared to withdraw amendments if the Minister co-operates.

A former member of the Minister's party sat in this House on Committee Stage and to the embarrassment of the Government sat with her hands on her backside when it came time to vote on the Defamation Bill and other Bills. We do not want to get into that sort of situation and I support Senator Coffey's idea that it would be best if we could work through the Committee Stage of this Bill in consultation and co-operation. The Minister also indicated there had been representations and that he was aware of the issues.

I am concerned that these amendments are the only amendments. I understood there would be Government amendments. Is the Minister going to take on board the various genuine representations? Will he refer to the impact this Bill will have on rural pastimes, the Ward hunt and other issues such as the RISE campaign? The Minister should clarify how consultation and co-operation will work.