Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to accept amendment No. 13awhich fixes the grammatical error I sought to correct with amendment No. 14 in my name. I thank the Minister of State for engaging on the matter.

I wish to discuss a couple of other issues. I completely accept and understand the idea that a racing sanction is an appropriate response in the case of someone who breaks the regulations that protect the health and welfare of greyhounds. I would have been happy to pull back on amendment No. 16 but not on the basis that might still in place in the context of the health and welfare of animals. Section 29 deals with the health and welfare of greyhounds. The section is much shorter than the others and does not impose an unfair regulatory burden on the Irish Greyhound Board. Amendments Nos. 11 to 13, inclusive, simply seek to raise the obligations of the board and strengthen the animal welfare provisions. I do not see the board as having any real teeth in terms of sanctions when obligations related to animal health and welfare are deemed to be optional in using the word "may". As to whether the provision is included in the other Acts - section 29 deals with the health and welfare of greyhounds - inserting the word "may" means that one can choose to meet the requirements stipulated in the Bill. To provide for the imposition of race sanctions on such grounds one would have to strengthen the legislation by inserting the word "shall" in order that a person would be obliged to meet the requirement of the health and welfare regulations stipulated in the Bill. Other than that there is not much the board can do in terms of the imposition of race sanctions.

Section 26 deals with the artificial insemination of greyhounds, while section 28 provides for the establishment of a traceability database for greyhounds. I accept that the regulatory powers given to the board in sections 26 and 28 are intended to enable it to provide an exhaustive list that will give it discretion and flexibility in terms of where it can and should regulate. I do not see it as being the same in the case of section 29. The use of the word "may" dilutes the legislation. Therefore, I am unwilling to back down in my call for the replacement of the word "may" with "shall" as the provision relates to the health and welfare of greyhounds.