Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I should say that earlier today I met representatives of the Dublin Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association. The mediation process is starting tomorrow. I met them on foot of a commitment I gave that I would so do after publication of the draft legislation for a greyhound breeders racing (amendment) Bill. It will be referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine for pre-legislative scrutiny. I welcome that engagement but I cannot get involved.

With regard to meeting with the community I do not want to pre-empt a decision. If I agree to that request here then I will be accused of having circumvented the process that is taking place around the sale. I do not want to be seen as interfering with that process in any hand or part, except to encourage everybody to engage. I suggested to the Dublin Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association this morning that they should engage in the pre-legislative scrutiny process, where their opinions and their points of view will be a matter of public record and will get a fair hearing at that committee.