Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I would like the Senator to comment on their unwritten statement of intent to get rid of the greyhound industry. Senator Coffey tabled a reasonable amendment, which calls for the designation of an official or veterinary practitioner by the local authority to become the authorised person. Given the Government, of which the Minister of State is a member, has imposed a prohibition-embargo on recruitment to the public service, where will these personnel be drawn from? Who will be the designated officer? Will local authorities have to transfer officials from the roads, environment and planning sections to staff the newly created posts? What does that say about the control steward or the veterinarian?

The Government uses the great phrase "will liaise" a great deal. The excellent debate pack presented by the Oireachtas Library and Research Service refers to the issue of enforcement and its cost. If, for example, Cork City Council or Cork County Council say they do not have the money and cannot engage in enforcement and they refuse to carry out this function, what happens then? The cost of enforcement, according to the debate pack, "will vary according to the circumstances of the local authority functional area". Will that be the case? Legislation is meant to be balanced and fair and the same for all.