Seanad debates

Wednesday, 9 November 2011

Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

1:00 pm

Photo of Denis LandyDenis Landy (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and commend him on the work he has done. We fully support this Bill. On Second Stage I raised a number of issues with the Minister of State. One of these was to do with the carrying out of inspections and whether the required manpower would be available, as mentioned by the previous speaker, Senator Ó Clochartaigh. I also raised the issue of how to deal with people who are in breach of the legislation in terms of regulating their future activity within the industry. I am extremely pleased with the interaction I have had with the Minister of State and his Department since then. Confirmation has been given that there are adequate facilities within the Irish Coursing Club to deal with this issue should the matter arise, and that there are already provisions within the ICC to deal with people who are in breach of the legislation in terms of their future activity within the industry. I am pleased that both of those issues, which I feel are extremely important, were dealt with by the Minister of State and his staff. I have received communications clarifying these points. At the time, I know the Minister of State was concerned about these issues himself, however, my contact with the ICC has confirmed that they have been dealt with.

This is good legislation. The Minister of State mentioned the last day that if a similar approach had been taken by the last Government, namely, taking a mature approach to this issue instead of dealing with it as part of an overall plan to improve the welfare of animals, including the banning of hunting and so on, that Government might still be in office.

One sign that this is good legislation is that it has been accepted by all sides of the House. Another is the availability of clarification and the willingness of those concerned to engage with us on issues of importance such that there were no amendments to the Bill, an excellent sign with any legislation. It will be good and I have no concerns about it.

A compliance figure of 90% within the industry was mentioned. I have been involved in the industry as a punter, an owner and otherwise throughout the years. It is safe to say that 99% of people involved in the greyhound industry are compliant. There may be 1% in any walk of life who are not compliant and for whom all this legislation is required. However, people from all walks of life are involved, in the main, for the love of the animal and the sport. Some people participate on a professional basis and make a living out of it but these people are more in love with the animals than anyone else and I have seen at first hand the care and attention given to greyhounds by professional dog trainers throughout the country. This is a good day for the greyhound industry in Ireland, it is a good day for the welfare of the greyhound and it is good legislation. I commend the Minister of State on today's work.

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