Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Last week, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, questioned the bona fides and integrity of all involved in the greyhound industry. In my opinion that was an absolute disgrace. Are we going to see the colour of his money by having some amendments from the Government side of the House? Will there be any Government amendments to this Bill? If not, we are wasting our time and should get on with voting on the important amendments before us. If that is the situation, it is regrettable that we will not have any input from the major party in Government. It appears they are being dictated to by their Green Party colleagues in this regard. They are lap-dogs, rather than greyhounds. The Bill is being led by so-called animal rights figures. We have heard that to get support for the NAMA legislation, people were brought on side by offering them legislation such as that which is now before us. The Bill, however, is not worthy to be brought before the House because of the inaccuracies, duplication and cost to those involved.

It is incredible we have not had Government amendments. We have heard the reasoned thoughts of Senator Ormonde about the Bill but I am disappointed we have not had amendments from the senior Government party. I understand the Minister of State is only reading what the senior Minister has given him, so his hands may be tied in that regard. I do not think the Minister of State, no more than myself, believes that animal welfare is at the core of this legislation. Well over six years ago, I was the first Member of this House to raise the question of puppy farms. This legislation should have been confined to that matter, as it was supposed to be, rather than being extended to hunting, the greyhound industry and anything else the Greens might like to include. If the Bill dealt with puppy farms, as it was supposed to, the Bill would have passed through the House in a couple of weeks. However, that is not what it is about. We are dealing with a Green Party agenda here - an anti-rural way of life agenda - and we are going to call its bluff. We are also going to call the bluff of Fianna Fáil on this. Too many Fianna Fáil Members are saying one thing - what they believe - yet they are prepared to run with the type of legislation put before us. That is despicable. It is probably time we called a vote on this.