Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I understand the Minister is prepared to extend it to six months. I do not believe six months is sufficient. Again, no breeder I know would breed a bitch at six months. It would be cruel to start breeding bitches at six months of age. The two years I have suggested might be excessive. We had intended to make it one year. If the Minister were prepared to set the period at one year, it would be acceptable. He has suggested that the four months is not right and that he will amend it in the Lower House. That bears testimony to the fact that he got it wrong in the first place. Four months is ludicrous and this is the Bill on which we are voting. While the Minister has taken a small step by intending to increase it, there is no evidence of it before this House. There is no amendment to that effect, which is what we would have expected.

We cannot agree with what the Minister has said. He intends to go a small bit further but it is not sufficient.