John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I wish to thank all Senators for their varied, interesting and positive contributions to the debate on this legislation. I am confident the Bill, as amended, will safeguard the welfare of dogs and dog-breeding establishments, will ensure a thriving greyhound industry over time and will create employment by enhancing the standards and reputation of dog breeding in Ireland.

Every Member is aware that I have proactively engaged with the stakeholders and Members to address any concerns the proposed legislation might contain for various interest groups. Over 650 submissions were received after the publication of the report of the working group, established in 2005 by the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Dick Roche, a point overlooked by many in the course of the debate. Its terms of reference were to examine the current position regarding the management of kennels and to make recommendations for such improvements. Greyhounds were, therefore, always considered to come within the remit of these terms.

To underline this fact, the Irish Greyhound Board was represented on the working group and has been consulted extensively since then. Senior officials have met the Irish Greyhound Board and the Irish Coursing Club on several occasions recently. They have also met with the Dogs Trust and the Irish Kennel Club. The Irish Coursing Club, in particular, has played a constructive role in the development of greyhound welfare and has engaged positively and openly during the course of the debate.

As a result of these engagements and as promised when I was last in the Seanad, I introduced amendments on Committee Stage in the Dáil which addressed concerns relating to inspection, finance, the powers of authorised persons, breeding limitation, microchipping and the effects of implementation. I am satisfied these amendments will successfully allay the concerns of the stakeholders involved.

The definition of a "dog-breeding establishment" is specified by the working group appointed by the then Minister, Deputy Dick Roche, as being based on the number of female dogs on the premises with breeding potential. The working group included veterinary representation from Veterinary Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Louth County Council and the ISPCA. I believe the definition developed by the group is clear and unambiguous and, as such, will aid enforcement.

The group noted the difficulty experienced in the UK with definitions based on breed which have become unenforceable. I acknowledge the estrus cycle ranges from six months to 18 months, depending on the breed of dog. The working group definition had to ensure all bitches capable of breeding were included. Accordingly, it set four months old and capable of breeding as a definition of a bitch. I modified this by amendment to six months old and capable of breeding. However, this is not a marker for when to start breeding.

The Bill allows three litters in any three years, thereby providing a dog breeder with the flexibility to assess the bitch's potential prior to commencing breeding. Concern has been expressed regarding the impact the Bill might have on the casual breeder with a few pups. Establishments with less than six bitches of six months old and capable of breeding will not be affected by the Bill. In the event a bitch produces a litter of female pups, the breeder has six months to consider what to do with the pups before they become reckonable for the purposes of the Bill. Sterilised or spayed bitches are not capable of breeding and, as such, are not reckonable for the purposes of defining a dog-breeding establishment.

I have extended the fee ban so that an establishment with up to 18 bitches over six months old and capable of breeding will only pay €400 in registration. This is not a high fee when one considers the level of production that can be achieved from 18 bitches and the market value of a good pup.

Inspection by a local authority veterinary officer will be a prerequisite for the issuing of an improvement notice. A dog warden will not be authorised to issue an improvement notice. This will reassure those who question the objectives of dog wardens. Dog wardens, in turn, will be reassured by the provision that they should be accompanied by a member of An Garda Síochána as necessary.

I am convinced the full set of amendments has strengthened acceptance of the Bill and addresses the concerns of stakeholders, including the Irish Coursing Club, the Hunting Association of Ireland and the Dogs Trust, while ensuring the local authority veterinary and dog control staff have workable legislation to safeguard the welfare of dogs.