Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support the comments of my Fine Gael colleagues and those of Senator Ann Ormonde on these amendments. The Bill, unfortunately, goes down the wrong road. Huge pressure was applied to the Government to take action on the question of puppy farms and solve an obvious problem. There is unanimous support for the regulation of puppy farms and the closure of many of them. Legislation to that effect should have been generated, debated and enacted in a very short space of time. Such a speedy turnaround of legislation should be the way of political life. Unfortunately, factors have intervened and what should have been a straightforward Bill has grown out of all proportion. Commitments given to various groups and associations have been breached and we are now debating and possibly dividing on a section which should not be included in the Bill. I concur with Senator Buttimer regarding the economic issues involved but, given the current economic state of the country and leaving aside the political arguments, the public expects us to spend 95% of our time in both Houses discussing the economic plight of the country and putting forward ideas and solutions to address it. The average citizen would be bemused and amazed that we have spent days discussing this legislation which should have simply provided for regulations to control or, if necessary, shut down puppy farms. The Minister's over-the-top approach to the legislation is a little disappointing.

I refer to the amendments and the impact of the Bill on the greyhound industry. I agree with colleagues who have expressed serious concerns about its negative implications. We have all received representations and communications from various parties on the matter but all of us, especially those who represent rural constituencies, are aware of the economic and social impact of this industry. It is the only social outlet for many people. It is a successful indigenous industry into which the Government, through the horse and greyhound fund, invested tens of millions of euro to develop stadia, encourage people into the industry and generate employment and tax revenue. We should try to strengthen and develop the industry further. Senator Buttimer also referred to the export element. A cost benefit analysis of the industry would stand up to the highest scrutiny as a successful rural Irish enterprise.

With a few strokes of his pen, the Minister is seriously threatening the industry. Senator Buttimer asked whether he has ever attended a greyhound race meeting. I do not know but he represents the constituency in which Ireland's premier greyhound track, Shelbourne Park, is located. I am sure he knows the track, how many people work there and how many people attend meetings every week of the year, yet the legislation is a grave and present threat to the industry.

As the Minister of State represents a rural constituency, he has knowledge of the issues we have raised. I ask him to advise the Minister not only to move with caution but to be willing to be big enough to engage reverse gear. When we commenced the debate on the legislation some weeks ago, there was a general fear that a Pandora's box would be opened. What should have been straightforward legislation which would have received the unanimous support of the House unfortunately will create new challenges for rural Ireland and rural pursuits. We debated the issue of hunt kennels, their registration, promises made and commitments broken, to which we will revert.

With regard to greyhound breeding, the regulations governing the Irish Coursing Club are exceptionally strict and proper, accountable and transparent, and they work. In theory, we know what it is supposed to do but we do not know how it will work in practice. The current registration regulations operated by the ICC have worked effectively for many years but the Minister is willing to cast that aside and change the rules of the game.

It would be much preferable if we did not have to divide on the amendments but we must make a statement if the Minister of State and his colleagues are not willing to come forward with new thinking. The decision on this legislation will be made in this House because we are giving it the time it deserves. My fear is that it will be rushed through the Lower House without significant debate and analysis. If progress is to be made and common sense is to be reapplied to the legislation, it will have to happen in this House. I hope the Minister of State will not only impress our concerns and those of his party on the Minister but that he will get him to move and that he will reassure us he will report progress and fresh thinking on Report Stage.

Earlier we discussed the bio-fuel legislation and the need to give a little boost to rural Ireland. We could list a plethora of rural industries that are under pressure or that have disappeared. Fortunately, the greyhound industry continues to perform well and it would be disappointing and regrettable if the legislation, which at its genesis was appropriate in that it was intended to regulate puppy farms, harmed our greyhound industry. Will the Minister of State think carefully about this and impress on his senior colleague that he should think again about the steps he proposes to insert in this section into which he is perhaps being pushed by the more extreme elements of the animal rights lobby, bring common sense to bear and not break something that is fixed? There is no need for the section because the greyhound industry is well regulated, administered and controlled.