John Carty (Fianna Fail)

I am delighted Senator Coffey and his party support the Bill. I have no doubt he will table amendments but I am sure they will be worth examining.

I welcome this Bill. The Minister, when he published the legislation, stated its policy objective is to regulate the level of welfare in the greyhound industry to complement the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The approach taken differs in some areas, having regard to the distinct nature and controls applying to the keeping of registered greyhounds.

The greyhound industry is well regulated and has been for many years. The industry registers and identifies greyhounds to ensure the integrity of greyhound racing. This is important because the industry sustains 11,000 full and part-time jobs. It is estimated €500 million is put into the local economies of the 17 Bord na gCon licensed tracks. Eight of those are owned by the board and it has a 51% share in the track in Mullingar. As Senator Coffey has said, the track in Limerick is outstanding. Over the years, Bord na gCon has upgraded tracks and stadia, adding to the comfort of the patrons, trainers, owners and dogs.

There are five Parts in the Bill. Part 2 is important because it deals with the welfare of greyhounds. It deals with the setting out of specific standards and powers to make regulations for the welfare of greyhounds. It deals with the identification of greyhounds and the requirement to notify sale or transfer of greyhounds in order that there can be traceability and attachment to owners.

Bord na gCon published its 14 principles for best practice in 2006. Among them are that the registered owner and-or keeper of the greyhound should take full responsibility for the physical and social well-being of the greyhound and should do so with full regard to the dog's welfare. Registered owners should attempt to provide a suitable home for the retired greyhound. Registered owners should not give away or gift their retired greyhounds to people who will not care for them or use them for illicit purposes. Breeding of greyhounds should be based on the current needs of the breeder and the future needs of the industry. Where euthanasia is inevitable, it should be carried out in a humane manner by a suitably qualified person, veterinary surgeon or local authority dog pound. When transported all greyhounds should travel in safety and comfort. Those are six very important principles that I picked out and I compliment Bord na gCon on publishing a best practice guide.

Part 3 deals with the number of times a greyhound can be used for breeding. I welcome the Minister's consultation with the interested bodies and that they have reached agreement on this. There was a great deal of consideration given and different people would have different opinions on a bitch's age for breeding. Under the Bill, the minimum age will be 15 months, considerably higher than the minimum breeding age in the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The Irish Coursing Club will not be permitted to register litters born to greyhounds under 15 months and, as a consequence, they will not be permitted to race or be used in coursing events. It is important such provisions are built into the Bill and that the Irish Coursing Club and Bord na gCon agree to this. This will be good for the industry as a whole.

I am from an area where there are greyhound breeders and it is important we do things right. A lot of money comes from the export of greyhounds to other countries, and Bord na gCon and the ICC must ensure everything is done properly. Anything that goes wrong could affect the whole industry that provides so much employment and brings in so much money. The industry is highly regarded by British people who come to Ireland to buy dogs, as do the Spanish. Our trainers bring dogs to large race meetings in England and it is great to read about them winning there. It enhances the industry and our breeding programme. Owners are particularly interested in ensuring everything is done right. I welcome the Bill and commend it to the House.