Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I propose to deal with amendments Nos. 11 and 12 together and do not propose to accept either amendment. Section 14(4) allows the Minister to introduce guidelines for the operation of dog breeding establishments. As outlined in my Second Stage contribution, it is my firm intention to put these guidelines on a statutory basis after full consultation with the interested parties following the enactment of this Bill. The consultation process will help to ensure the guidelines have as broad an acceptance as possible. The proposed amendment No. 11 is therefore unnecessary.

Amendment No. 12 seeks to have the guidelines introduced upon the Bill being enacted. Such a provision could be counter-productive as I am anxious to ensure the draft guidelines undergo full consultation prior to being signed into law. It is not unusual for the primary legislation to provide for statutory guidelines and for such guidelines not to be in place on the enactment of legislation. I do not deem it appropriate that the statutory guidelines may not benefit from the broad consultation and the critical analysis required to ensure they will be put in place upon enactment of the Bill.