Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 10a:

In page 14, subsection (8), between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:

"(a) the operator of the establishment is registered through the Irish Coursing Club,".

I will withdraw the amendment because the wording is incorrect and I will resubmit it on Report Stage. The amendment should read, "the operator of the establishment is registered through the Irish Greyhound Board". A registration and fees system is in place for the greyhound industry. The Minister will know from his working group that the industry is governed by the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 which clearly sets out the responsibilities of the Irish Coursing Club, ICC, and the Irish Greyhound Board, IGB, in the promotional development of the sport and in the regulation and enforcement of standards in the sport. A sophisticated system tracks all matters relating to breeding and ownership of greyhounds.

Duplication is a possibility as a result of this section. A system is in place under the aegis of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism which involves reputable agencies such as the ICC and the IGB. The ICC operates a register of all matings, litters born, adult greyhound naming and transfer of ownership. All the stud dogs and brood bitches are DNA profiled and all the greyhounds are tattooed and earmarked for identification purposes. All the pups are inspected and tattoo marked by control stewards jointly appointed by the ICC and the IGB. Greyhound breeders are subject to registration fees which ultimately support the maintenance and integrity of the industry. I am sure the Minister will agree we do not hear many complaints about the maltreatment of greyhounds because this is a well regulated industry.

While the Minister is not doing this intentionally, the amendment is an effort to avoid duplication. The greyhound industry is well regulated and breeders are paying fees for regulation and registration. Imposing further fees, regulation and bureaucracy could threaten the viability of the industry. Greyhounds are covered by the 1958 Act which comes under the remit of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. It would not be a problem if the Minister wanted to strengthen that legislation by cross-referencing it in this legislation and endorsing the work of inspectors. Reference is regularly made to the economic climate, over regulation, bureaucracy and overheads. This provision will result in an unnecessary overhead through additional inspections in an industry that is well regulated.