Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

Senator Coffey has tabled three simple amendments. I will not labour the argument in support of them other than to say that I believe this legislation has the support of Members on all sides of the House. There is agreement on the Government side of the House to the amendments put forward by Senator Coffey. Therefore, I ask the Minister of State to seriously consider accepting these good amendments.

This legislation is being put in place for a specific purpose but it impinges to a great degree on the greyhound industry. That is the problem that arises and the reason Senator Coffey has tabled amendments Nos. 10, 10 and 14

What is being said regarding this section would not instill confidence in the Bill among those in the greyhound industry. Furthermore, what the Minister proposes in this respect does not augur well for the industry. We have invested heavily in greyhound tracks and in this major industry. I have no doubt that the ban on coursing in England will be lifted and I am led to believe that will happen soon. A former Deputy and Senator, Liam Burke, was one of the last people to win the Waterloo Cup. If that comes to pass and if this legislation is passed in its current format, any bitches that have had six litters will be exported to Northern Ireland and to England. That would be a great loss to this country given the substantial investment by the State and taxpayers in the development of greyhound tracks and new stadiums with state-of-the-art facilities. The Government proposes a system of double inspections, double registrations and double fees, for which there is no need.

Senator Coffey has made the fair point that if the Minister of State indicates he would facilitate what is proposed in these amendments, he could envisage withdrawing them. He has given an undertaking that what is proposed in these amendments is based on veterinary advice and so forth. These are practical amendments and I hope the Minister of State will accept them. What the Minister, Deputy Gormley, proposes in this respect is to the detriment of the industry and will not instil confidence in it. It is regulated already under the 1958 Act. The fees and registrations applicable are regulated under that Act. I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, to give an undertaking that the fee, registration and the inspection aspects of the greyhound industry will be reviewed for Report Stage and, if he does so, Senator Coffey may consider withdrawing his amendments. To impose a huge burden of second registrations, second fees and second inspections on the greyhound industry does not instil it with confidence nor does it augur well for it. It shows that we in this Parliament are not displaying any confidence in a State board that has pumped millions of euros into this large industry.