Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

The effect of the proposed amendment, while well intentioned, might be too draconian. The Bill has been carefully drafted to provide for an escalation of measures. It is not envisaged at this point that non-compliance with an improvement notice would constitute an offence. Rather, it would be a matter for the local authority to move towards enforcement of the notice by making an application to the District Court to have the establishment removed from the register under section 18(). It is thought that the threat of removal from the register would have the desired effect on the operator.

It is my intention that local authorities would build a relationship with dog breeding establishments operating in their functional areas to ensure implementation of appropriate welfare standards. We must allow breeding establishments the space to implement the measures outlined in the improvement notice. Section 18(2)() provides for a stated period in which the improvement notice must be implemented. The notice can be appealed to the District Court within seven days of serving the notice. If the notice is ignored, the local authority can progress to a closure notice under section 19. A person who contravenes a closure notice will be guilty of an offence. Therefore, I do not propose to accept the amendment.