Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 7, line 34, to delete "3 months" and substitute "12 months".

We have tabled several amendments on Report Stage. At least two months have passed since Committee Stage and I would have expected some amendments from the Minister by now. We are informed that amendments will be accepted in the other House. That amounts to treating this House with contempt. The Minister is prepared to accept and introduce amendments in the other House but not to put them before us for scrutiny. Amendments must come back to us if they are passed in the other House, but it amounts to treating us like a rubber stamp. It is appalling and shows contempt for the House by the Minister at a time when he is suggesting reform of this House. Regardless, he treats the House in such a manner. This view was expressed by several colleagues from the Minister's side of the House on the Order of Business this morning and it is a matter on which we take a strong view.

I refer to amendment No. 1, which deals with the lead-in time for the regulations under discussion. On Committee Stage, we made the point that we appreciate the fact that a lead-in time is being provided for. However, three months is an insufficient lead-in time to put through the regulations because people may have to alter buildings or get planning permission to carry out work to comply with the regulations.

As the Minister is aware, planning permission can take a good deal more than three months. We are not being unreasonable in any way to call for this to be extended to a period of 12 months. Many family farms breed dogs and perhaps the buildings and outhouses are not what they should be. Such buildings would have to be brought up to standard and it is possible planning permission would have to be secured for any necessary alterations. I appeal to the Minister to show some respect for the House and to accept some of the amendments tabled. We have only tabled four amendments, all of which are reasonable and none of which are too controversial. However, I believe they will improve the Bill. I call on the Minister to give due consideration to this and I trust he will not tell me that he will consider the amendment when it goes before the other House. Let us deal with the amendments before us in this House. I look forward to hearing from the Minister on the matter.