Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for the level of engagement on the Bill, which has finally passed. The purpose of amending the existing legislation is to improve the governance of Bord na gCon, strengthen regulatory controls in the industry, modernise sanctions and improve integrity with a view to building a reputation of excellence in the sector.

The Bill addresses issues identified in a number of reports on the greyhound racing sector relating to governance and regulation. It addresses governance issues in Bord na gCon, strengthens regulatory controls in the industry, modernises sanctions and improves integrity. It includes the welfare of greyhounds as one of the statutory functions of Bord na gCon and provides it with the powers to make regulations on integrity, anti-doping, administration and traceability to improve the identified welfare and integrity deficits that have been affecting the industry. The Bill will strengthen the greyhound industry, enabling it to deal with the challenges it faces and maximise its potential.I thank everybody again. All of us were on the same page. We may have differed on some particular points regarding the application and interpretation of the legislation but it is a good day's work. It may have to wait until after March before it gets into the Dáil because of the current necessity for Brexit-related legislation to be addressed but I thank the Senators. The Bill is well prepared and hopefully we will see this enacted into law in the first half of this year.