John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, to the House. I have not spoken on Committee Stage although I contributed on Second Stage. I have listened to and been present in the Chamber for all of this debate and I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of Senator Coffey's amendments. I come from an area like his and, I suspect, the Minister of State's. Indeed, the latter is familiar with rural south County Kilkenny. Many people besides farmers and others involved in agriculture are involved in the greyhound industry and have a number of breeding greyhound bitches. It has been a part of their way of life for generations.

Even before I entered the Oireachtas, I saw how seemingly innocuous legislation had serious knock-on effects for people. This Bill is potentially devastating for greyhound breeders and others. On Second Stage, for example, I mentioned hunt kennels. The Bill is the thin edge of the wedge in respect of what are loosely termed as country pursuits. I urge the Minister of State, as a representative of the largest Government party and one that, unlike some of the other parties in government, has roots in rural Ireland, to reflect on what is being proposed. The 1958 legislation governing the greyhound industry already imposes an inspection regime in which greyhounds must be documented and records kept. What is proposed in the Bill is a expensive duplication of the current provisions. I listened to every contribution and the Minister, Deputy Gormley, did not seem to acknowledge this duplication or the fact that the greyhound and hunting sectors are already regulated, subject to inspection and must keep records of the dogs produced.

The Bill was introduced following calls from a number of Senators and Deputies concerning puppy farming. Senator Cummins was the first Member to raise the issue of the inhumane treatment of young dogs in the industry. Everyone welcomes the sector's regulation but the Bill will cover areas that are already well regulated. There is no need to regulate them again because they are already subject to stringent criteria. It also places an unfair burden of cost during a difficult time in every walk of life. I urge the Minister of State. I have read the amendments and cannot see why they cannot be accepted. The greyhound sector, the specific matter dealt with by the amendments, is already the subject of regulation and inspection. It is not as if people are getting off scot free.

As Members of the Oireachtas, we have received many e-mails in recent days from people stating we should include the greyhound breeders and hunt kennels. They are already subject to rigorous inspection. From inception, the aim of this legislation has been to regulate puppy farming. If we want to do anything for animal rights, puppy farming should be banned outright. I ask the Minister to reconsider this legislation, as it could have a devastating effect on a way of life, not merely on people's pockets. Many of my neighbours who are rural people, although not farmers, have a few greyhounds and one of their few pleasures in life is to walk them every morning and evening and perhaps go to Kilcohan Park in Waterford or the greyhound track in Kilkenny city. When we have seen investment by the Government and from elsewhere in upgrading greyhound stadiums, it is bizarre to consider placing extra charges and impositions on greyhound breeders.

I hope the Minister of State who represents the rural-based party in government will look to the people he knows who are involved in the greyhound industry and ensure they are not subject to a ridiculous form of double inspection.