John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I have explained in detail the genesis of the amendments, how I have engaged with the specific stakeholders and the amendments' complexity. I will state to Senator O'Donovan that I also wrote to the Taoiseach and that he must accept my bona fides on this matter. I do not write to the Taoiseach lightly on such issues but I did so because this spells out in detail exactly what I had in mind. I was very clear with him and likewise am very clear with Members of this House. I wish to state absolutely that there is no threat whatsoever to the Irish greyhound industry. As my colleague, Senator Dearey, has just noted, the use of phrases such as "The greyhound industry is being destroyed" is an exaggeration. Not only will it not be destroyed, it will not be undermined in any way.

Although I am convinced of this, to make absolutely sure I intend to insert an amendment into this legislation that will result in a review after 12 months and should there be any undermining of this important industry, that issue will be addressed. My Department has included measure after measure. Moreover, in consultation with the Irish Greyhound Board and the Irish Coursing Club, I outlined that I would be willing to provide exemptions from the registration fee to trainers of greyhounds on the basis of assurances by the board and the club that training greyhounds was a specialised practice and that trainers do not actually breed greyhounds. We had a long discussion on that matter. In addition, I am anxious to minimise any financial burden on the greyhound industry and will, as previously mentioned, provide exemptions to registered dog breeding establishments from the general dog licence fee, thereby making a saving of approximately €400 per establishment. All of this has been done.

As for the question regarding the Act of 1958, which has been raised, my legal advice is that the welfare regulations relating to the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 are considered to be ultra vires and as such are not supported by the primary legislation of the 1958 Act. The Irish Greyhound Board has acknowledged this fact. These are the facts as I know them and as the Minister responsible in this area, I therefore have concluded that all breeds of dog must be addressed through the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 and not through any other legislation. I am not in a position to make exemptions for certain breeds of dog, be they hunting dogs or greyhounds. Senator Cummins is aware that representations have been made on both categories of dog. I emphasise that no damage will be done to the greyhound industry. A campaign is taking place throughout the country. I understand the political imperatives when people believe they are being subjected to significant pressure. It is completely unprecedented. I cannot believe it when I see such campaigns being mounted, as there is nothing surer than that they are based on misinformation. There is an idea that somehow we are undermining a rural way of life and that first greyhounds will be outlawed, followed by shooting and angling. I have heard all the arguments, but none of them stacks up. None of the arguments about the potential damage that it is claimed will be inflicted on the greyhound industry stands up.

Senator O'Donovan might not have been present when I outlined the amendments. They are the same amendments I outlined to the Taoiseach and will be introduced——