Seanad debates

Thursday, 27 October 2011

11:00 am

Photo of Denis LandyDenis Landy (Labour)

I did not read the document in the middle of the night and do not proclaim to be an expert on NAMA or any matter relating to negotiations. However, I read a document last night containing very good news. I want the Minister for Finance to come to his House to explain its detail. I refer to Anglo Irish Bank's selling of assets worth €3 billion in America in recent weeks. The result is that the Government will now definitely not pay the bank €700 million next week. I would like the Minister to explain the positive ramifications of the sale.

I commend the Government for the efforts it has made since entering office on renegotiating with the banks the terms of the loan. The news to which I refer is a consequence of the negotiations, which have been ongoing since April. The taxpayer will save €700 million because of the work of the Government on negotiating with the Irish banking organisations. I welcome the news and hope the Minister can come to the House next week, not only to discuss the negotiations that occurred during the night but the ramifications of the aforementioned good news for the State.

Some days ago, a number of Senators raised the failure of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to sign the commencement order for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, which was passed earlier in the year. There was a very good contribution by Senator Power in this regard on the greyhound legislation. A programme on TV3 on Tuesday night highlighted puppy farming malpractices in the State. It was horrific to watch it. I am sure all Members have been e-mailed today and yesterday by various organisations that support the implementation of the legislation. I checked the status of the commencement order yesterday with the Department. The answer I got, which I found very difficult to accept, was that it was not signed because the Government is waiting for the Welfare of Greyounds Bill 2011 to pass. There is no link between the two and, therefore, no reason the Minister has not signed the commencement order of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. I call on him, through the Leader, to sign it forthwith and allow the legislation to be implemented to address the horrific carry-on in puppy farms throughout the country.

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