Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

——many on both sides shared the sentiment that this was the way forward. At the beginning of the legislative process it is correct that this is a Seanad Bill considering all that has happened.

I pay tribute to and highlight the extensive engagement by various bodies which engaged in the consultative process and appeared before the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to make submissions. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, said his officials had engaged "very constructively" with the Irish Greyhound Board and the Irish Coursing Club in the preparation of a draft Bill.

The Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation stated on 11 May last year that it was supporting the Bill. It stated the Irish Coursing Club was responsible for maintaining the stud book and registered greyhounds and that, as the integrity and value of the industry was very much dependent on a robust stud book, the Irish Coursing Club had invested significant resources to ensure it delivered on this. The Irish Greyhound Board welcomes the legislation that addresses the issue of puppy farming and indiscriminate breeding. In preparing the legislation the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food consulted all these bodies and other representatives of the welfare sector.

The consultations in the lead-up to the passage of the Dog Breeding Establishments legislation were drawn on in framing the Bill. These included the Dogs Trust, Bord na gCon, the Irish Coursing Club, Veterinary Ireland and the City and County Managers Association. Attention was also paid to the significant number of submissions made to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the context of the proposed Animal, Health and Welfare Bill. The main issues raised in regard to dog breeding establishments have resulted in consultees' viewpoints being taken into consideration, for the most part, in preparing the Bill.

This consultation is a perfect example of how various stakeholders were afforded access to the legislative process and listened to as a result of much of the debate in this House and outside it. The Government responded accordingly and I compliment it on doing so. The confirmation of our having done the right thing is evidenced in this House today by what I suggest is a bipartisan approach to a welcome Bill.

I hope those outside this House who are quick to denigrate its work, its constitutional and legislative role and its part in our parliamentary democracy might reflect on this experience as being one of many, past and future. Not only can those outside this House who represent society have direct access to Members, they can effect meaningful change. I welcome the Bill.