Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I have been accused of using hyperbole, but I was quoting from a letter from the chief executive officer of the Irish Greyhound Board. He said the illogical and misguided extension of the legislation would effectively destroy the greyhound industry. They are not my words and I am not using hyperbole. They are the words of the chief executive of the Irish Greyhound Board and I suggest he knows more about the industry than the Minister, even with the vast amount of knowledge he may possess about dogs.

I compliment my friend and colleague, Senator O'Donovan, on outlining the difficulties he faces. They are as I outlined in addressing the first amendment. We are being used as a rubber stamp and the House is being treated with contempt. We have told about the amendments being introduced in the other House. There is no question that they should have been introduced in this House, as this is the place to introduce amendments and to allow a proper debate on them.

I do not accept what the Minister has alleged about misinformation. Much information emerged on Second and Committee Stages that I suggest informed the Minister and his officials of the actual position in the greyhound industry and about hunting and all other breeds of dog. It has been an education for me and other Members of the House also. It has certainly been an education for the Minister because he showed a complete lack of information on the 1958 Act when it was originally raised. We will be pressing the amendment which is not based on misinformation. It is based on the best information we have available from the chief executive of the Irish Greyhound Board. We are relaying the genuine fears of that body which are held not alone by the board but also by those involved in the greyhound industry throughout the length and breadth of the country. They are right to have fears.

Senator Dearey said he had received one representation on the matter. I am surprised he even received one because his party was introducing the Bill.