Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

The greyhound industry has always been regulated by the Department of Agriculture and when one reads this Bill one knows the reason for that. The lack of knowledge of the greyhound industry that is highlighted by what has been included in this Bill is disgraceful. From much of what is contained in this Bill there appears to be no knowledge of greyhounds. The limit of six litters is unreasonable and not practicable. As was stated earlier, greyhound owners and breeders have a close working relationship with their veterinary surgeons and the industry depends on the breeding of successful brood bitches to maintain a vibrant and healthy breeding market. That has been the lifeblood of the greyhound industry. On the mandatory requirement to allow 12 months elapse before a bitch is mated, Senator Coffey outlined the position in that regard but the Bill shows a complete ignorance of the greyhound cycle which can vary from six to 24 months. There appears to be no understanding of greyhounds from what is contained in this Bill. It is an effort to decimate the industry through lack of knowledge. I will accept the bona fides of the Minister regarding animal welfare but the lack of knowledge of the greyhound industry shown in the content of the Bill is appalling.

There is no point in going into the area of micro-chipping and ear-marking of dogs. It has been dealt with, and what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. The Minister quoted the working group to us in reply to a previous amendment but we have given another recommendation of the working group which the Minister is disregarding. He may think he can have it both ways but he cannot. He cannot quote the working group to make one point and then forget about it on another matter. What is happening with this Bill is disgraceful. The more it is teased out, the more people will realise there is a lack of knowledge of the greyhound industry and even of the cycle of a greyhound. Animal welfare is not to the forefront where this Bill is concerned.