Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not here to defend any other country’s record on animal welfare but we must be clear that, setting aside the unworkability of the amendments, any legislation banning the exportation of greyhounds to certain countries would face significant legal difficulties. The Department examined this issue. We sought and obtained legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the Private Members’ Bill introduced by Deputy Tommy Broughan, which proposed measures similar to those we are discussing now. The advice from the Attorney General was that the Bill was incompatible with domestic and European law. Despite our differences on the amendments proposed, we share the aim of protecting the welfare of animals. The Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 obliges Bord na gCon to publish a code of practice for the welfare of greyhounds. The primary objective of the code is to set standards and clearly define what is expected of all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds. The board proposes to expand the existing code to include provisions regarding best practice when exporting greyhounds. We referred earlier to the issue of retired greyhounds in this context.

In the context of reporting on the exportation of greyhounds, it is not currently possible to retrieve the information being requested. The TRACES system used to record the exportation of canines does not differentiate between greyhounds and other dogs, no more than it distinguishes between breeds of cattle or horses, so it is not possible, therefore, to report on greyhounds exported to other countries.

Let me respond to Senator Ó Domhnaill on the issue of retirement. The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust has helped to rehome over 5,300 racing greyhounds since 2008, with 853 rehomed between January and October of this year. A further 58 are on the list for rehoming between now and the end of the year. These greyhounds will be rehomed as pets in homes in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, the Czech Republic and Belgium. The Irish Greyhound Board contributed over €100,000 to the Retired Greyhound Trust in 2017. The main source of funding for the trust continues to come from greyhound racing owners through a 2% reduction in all winners’ prize money. This funding is matched by the Irish Greyhound Board. The Department continues to lend its support through the provision of free passports to retired greyhounds when they are to be rehomed abroad. The trust also provides financial assistance to private rehoming agencies in Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Kerry and Belfast.