Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

The amendment concerns how authorised persons will be resourced, either by the local authority or the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Fine Gael amendment clearly refers to staff already employed in either of these agencies. Departmental inspectors are already visiting farms; therefore, it is a matter of restructuring the system to allow for inspections of puppy farms. I am suspicious and concerned that the greyhound industry and other sectors are being used to fund this inspection regime, when, in fact, they are already being inspected and pay licence and registration fees. I am concerned that the reason the greyhound industry is included in this legislation is it is seen as a mechanism to fund the inspection regime under the Bill. I certainly hope that is not the case, but perhaps the Minister of State can clarify the matter.