Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

There is no point in going over the issues outlined by my colleague, Senator Coffey. He has tabled three simple amendments, Nos. 10b, 10c and 14a. They are common-sense amendments that the Minister should accept. Amendment No. 10b deals with the exemption from the limit of six litters which Senator Coffey said should be by veterinary approval. I fully agree with him because an independent veterinary surgeon will be under the control of the local authorities. Senator Coffey is in agreement with that but says we should have an independent veterinary surgeon who would be the arbiter on this aspect. It is very simple. Common sense has been dispensed with in many parts of this Bill. Senator Coffey is taking a common-sense approach and if these three amendments were included in the Bill, they would improve it. I urge the Minister to accept them. They are common sense and it is for the good of the industry, which is the purpose of this debate. It is also for the good of animal welfare, and we have taken that into account on this side of the House. Along with everybody else, we want the welfare of dogs to be of the highest standard but at the same time we want this industry to thrive. We do not want it to be exported. What will happen, as Senator Coffey pointed out, is that the top dogs in this country will be exported. That will be the case, especially for counties along the Border such as Louth, Meath and so on. It will be easy for breeders in those counties to cross the Border into Northern Ireland.

The Bill will have serious consequences for the greyhound industry and I urge the Minister to accept Senator Coffey's amendments. They will make it a better Bill that can be more easily operated and it will be better for the industry as well.