Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I acknowledge that the Minister must leave the House to deal with important business. I thank the Minister for introducing this important legislation. It follows on from the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2010, which was widely debated in this House and on consideration of which considerable time was spent with contributions from Senators on all sides. At the start of the debate on the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill there was political consensus that something needed to be done in this area and Fine Gael had called for many years for the terrible practices in puppy farming to be addressed. That Bill addressed that specific area. That strong legislation put in place provisions to protect the breeding and rearing of puppies in puppy farm establishments and ensure there is no cruelty or poor practices of breeding in such establishments.

During the debate on that Bill, I as spokesperson on this area identified, as did Fine Gael, that the greyhound industry was being included in that legislation, even though it was already covered under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. It was pointed out to the Minister, Deputy Gormley, that it would be more appropriate for greyhound breeding establishments to be legislated for and covered under the 1958 Act. Without being too political, I advise that it was pointed out clearly that this Act was the legislation under which greyhound breeding should be regulated and properly managed. Unfortunately, the Minister did not listen at that time despite protestations from the greyhound industry, including Bord na gCon, the Irish Coursing Club and the greyhound breeding industry, which are all proactive in this area of animal welfare and which think very highly of the greyhounds and the racing animals they breed and train. It would have saved the Government considerable hardship and problems if the Minister had listened to the Fine Gael argument made in the Seanad at that time. It is only when that Bill went to the Dáil that the thrust of the Fine Gael amendments were taken on board and proper consultation took place with the stakeholders in the greyhound industry. I welcome that and I am glad it happened, but I am strongly of the view that it would have happened much sooner if the Minister and his officials had listened to those Senators who strongly and reasonably argued that this is what should have happened.

That is the context and background to this legislation. Fine Gael broadly welcomes the legislation, as presented, because the Government, the Minister and the officials engaged properly with the stakeholders, which is all we sought at that time. The thrust of many of our amendments went some way towards addressing the concerns within the industry.

I need not go into how much the greyhound industry is worth to Ireland. It is an indigenous industry that is recognised worldwide for the champion breeding of greyhounds that are utilised not only here but in the UK and much further afield. It is important we protect the good name and reputation of the Irish greyhound industry. This legislation will go some way towards enhancing that reputation. It will ensure the breeding of these champions, many of which have been breed in our greyhound industry and hopefully will continue to be bred, is carried out in a proper and responsible way. I am not saying that was not being done already but this legislation gives statutory strength to authorities such as Bord na gCon, the Irish Coursing Club and local authorities to ensure the establishments are run well and to a high standard.

As in the case of other legislation, it is important to engage properly with the stakeholders who are directly affected by legislation that comes before either House of the Oireachtas. The time that has elapsed between the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill and this Bill has given the relevant authorities, officials and stakeholders time to engage properly and come to an agreement on how best the system of management and breeding of greyhounds can be practised. It will result in a better and enhanced system.

The main provisions of this Bill, which amends and strengthens the 1958 Act, is the new code of practice for the industry. There is work to be done by the Department, the officials, Bord na gCon and the Irish Coursing Club to make sure their members and those people whose livelihoods are based on breeding greyhounds are fully aware of the implications of this legislation and of their responsibilities in this area. I am sure many people who breed greyhounds already implement good practice and high standards in how they look after their breeding bitches and puppy litters. It is in their interests to ensure they have a high standard because the better the standard of litters, dogs, bitches and racing greyhounds they produce, the more that will benefit the businesses they operate and the reputation of the Irish greyhound industry.

I welcome the broadening of the appointment of the inspection regime to welfare officers not only from local authorities and NGOs but also to officers of the Irish Greyhound Board and the Irish Coursing Club. They all will have inspection powers and the power to issue welfare notices. Nobody knows better than the officials of the Irish Greyhound Board and the Irish Coursing Club who are actively breeding greyhounds and where they are being bred. It is important that the legislation included these agencies in terms of the appointment of welfare officers. They have their hand on the pulse and are best placed to engage with the people who will be affected by this regulation. That is an important inclusion in this amending legislation.

I welcome that the age limit of qualifying breeding bitches has been increased from the previously proposed age of six months, which was the definition of a breeding bitch in the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, to the more practical and logical age of 15 months. That was another practical amendment Fine Gael proposed to the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, thereby bringing to the attention of the Minister and his officials that it is rare, if ever, that greyhounds will be bred at six months of age and questioning why that age limit would be included in the legislation which would only add to the confusion. We welcome the fact the age limit has been increased.

There are many other provisions in the Bill as regards restrictions on the number of litters a bitch can produce. We argued there should be flexibility on this up to a certain number of litters. If there were additional litters to be bred, that should be considered under veterinary supervision and certification. In other words, Fine Gael argued that no bitch should be allowed breed extra litters — I believe it was above six litters at the time — unless there was certification that the breeding bitch was healthy and able enough to go on breeding. The reason behind that argument was that if successful breeding bitches that were breeding champions were breeding up to a certain number of litters and if their breeding was restricted unnecessarily without veterinary certification, we and the people in the greyhound industry were fearful that those breeding bitches would literally be transported to another jurisdiction and would continue to breed in that jurisdiction, whether the UK or elsewhere. That provision did not improve the welfare of bitches; the impact of it was to move the issue elsewhere and over time Ireland could have lost many of its champion breeding bitches and, by extension, much of its excellent reputation for breeding champion greyhounds. There is still a restriction on the number of litters that can be produced, but there is a degree of flexibility allowed in this Bill whereby, under veterinary inspection and certification, additional litters can be produced. I welcome that flexibility.

Overall, Fine Gael is supportive of the Bill. It is a much more reasoned and practical approach than pertained previously and involves the stakeholders of the greyhound industry in the regulatory regime that will be implemented. That is so important that it can never be underestimated. All stakeholders who are affected by legislation should be brought along as far as possible in a consultative manner. It is only at this stage that is happening in the greyhound industry. It is important to emphasise to the House that the greyhound industry should be properly supported and investment in it should continue. The industry has significant potential worldwide and I acknowledge the investment that has been made in infrastructure in the industry. A successful greyhound stadium has opened in Limerick and there was investment in the stadium in Waterford, which I often attend. It is important such investment continues because this is an indigenous industry and we can contribute to the breeding lines of champion greyhounds.

This Bill will enhance Ireland's reputation in the industry. We will not have champions unless we have proper breeding standards and procedures to ensure the welfare of pups and animals. It is obvious it was already the case, although perhaps it was not as strictly regulated as will be the case under the Bill. Greyhound owners pay great attention to their greyhounds because it is in their best interests to ensure the pups they produce are of a high standard.

Fine Gael supports the Bill, although we may introduce some amendments on Committee Stage to strengthen it. We welcome this legislation and look forward to ongoing support for the greyhound industry.