Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 44:

In page 32, subsection (1), line 29, after "regulations" to insert the following:

"based on sound scientific information and the cost benefit of such".

This relates to the regulations the Minister will make under the legislation on preventing or minimising the risk or spread of disease, controlling and eradicating disease or a disease agent, protecting or enhancing animal health and welfare, controlling or prohibiting species, specific uses or activities involving or relating to animals and animal products, the keeping, movement, transportation and sale of animals and providing for all matters set out in the schedule. I fully support this and have no issue with it. I propose that these regulations should be based on sound scientific information and the cost benefit of such and the Minister may feel this is appropriate. This would protect the Minister in cases taken against the Department. I assume any decision taken by the Minister in this area will take these words into consideration in any event and I ask that they be included in the legislation if possible.