Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

The message is clear: when one gets involved in something, if one brings everyone along and allows everyone to have their say, it is better. I know from my responsibility, as does the senior Minister from his responsibility, that people in the greyhound industry welcome this legislation. Like those in every other industry they are going through a hard patch. Any legislation that strengthens their position and which is related to the welfare of their dogs is helpful. The people themselves have no wish to be taught in any other way. This is why we have the retirement home for greyhounds. While I have never had a greyhound as a pet, any dog can mean so much to a family and can be great company, especially for someone who is on their own.

The Bill is going through and other Bills will follow. If one were to pick out one element of the legislation that is memorable, it is that the person to whom the dog is registered is responsible at the end of the day. It is like the case of the car. Great legislation was introduced relating to cars so that whoever was the last owner was responsible. If anything goes wrong with a dog that person is responsible.

The legislation is in place to punish. Senators are aware of how much people love their greyhounds and I hope this will help the business. As Senators said, rightly, there may be questions on certain aspects and the horse industry must be examined as well. If anyone has any queries on anything related to agriculture, they should lift the telephone to contact me. It need not take three or four weeks to get an answer. It is a great way of working. I thank everyone responsible for getting this legislation through.

I am pleased to have had the opportunity to bring the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011 before Seanad Éireann. I thank the various Senators who took the time to examine the relevant issues and for their support in progressing this legislation. The contributions have been very useful.

The greyhound industry makes a significant contribution to the economy and it should be recognised that it is an export-orientated industry, as evidenced by the fact that approximately 75% of the greyhounds that currently race in the United Kingdom were bred in Ireland. Legislation to enhance greyhound welfare is crucial for the further development of the industry. The provisions in the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011 take account of the well-established controls that the Irish Coursing Club and Bord na gCon have in place already. This legislation provides a sound legal basis for welfare inspections to be carried out at all premises where greyhounds are kept. The Bill grants a wide range of powers to welfare officers and empowers them to issue welfare notices outlining improvements where they are required. The Bill allows for local authorities to appoint welfare officers in addition to those appointed by the Irish Coursing Club and Bord na gCon.

In drawing up the welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, my Department engaged with several organisations concerned with the welfare of dogs. In this regard I thank the various bodies such as Bord na gCon, the Irish Coursing Club and various NGOs, such as the Dogs Trust, all of whom engaged with the drafting in a helpful manner. It was agreed in the discussions with these bodies that the restriction this Bill places on the number of times a greyhound bitch can be bred as well as the prohibition on breeding a bitch under 15 months are significant factors in greyhound welfare. I thank the secretariat of the House who facilitated the Bill. I am satisfied this legislation, which is comprehensive and appropriately pitched, will ensure a good standard of welfare for greyhounds. Again, I thank all Members of the House.