John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

These amendments deal with widening the registration fee bands having regard to concerns expressed by the Hunting Association of Ireland, HAI; the Irish Coursing Club and the Irish Greyhound Board. I have agreed to a registration fee exemption for HAI registered members and greyhound trainers. I have also agreed to widen the fee bands such that a dog breeding establishment with six to 18 bitches, each greater than six months old and capable of breeding, will pay a fee of €400. I reiterate that someone with less than six breeding bitches will not be subject to the legislation.

Fees and bands vary to reflect the size and scale of the operation, as recommended by the working group. To this end, the new appropriate fee bands will be as follows. In the case of a dog breeding establishment, at which six to 18 eligible bitches are kept, a fee of €400 applies; for an establishment with between 19 and 30 bitches, the fee will be €800; for an establishment with between 31 and 100 bitches, the fee will be €1,600; for an establishment with between 101 and 200 bitches, the fee will be €3,000; and a further €1,600 for each 100 bitches thereafter. The fee will be payable to the local authority and the moneys raised are intended to cover the costs of regulation and inspection. It is intended that any balance remaining will go towards the cost of dog control in general.

I am concerned about the time. I indicated I had been waiting outside for a considerable period. It is now approaching 1.30 p.m. and I have further engagements. I had expected that we would conclude soon, but I find myself in a situation where I do not know how I should proceed. I will probably have to leave at 1.30 p.m.