Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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389. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if public consultations have taken place with interested parties on the proposed muzzling of greyhounds at open coursing events; the reason for these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37173/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing. The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the ICC. Nonetheless my Department has made enquiries and the ICC has indicated that the issue, muzzling of greyhounds at open coursing events, was discussed at an ICC AGM held in August 2015. The agenda and rule amendments or new rules had been circulated to each club representatives prior to the AGM.

The rule amendment regarding this issue was put to the floor at the AGM for comment for or against and the vote was taken. A rule amendment passing the muzzling of greyhounds at open coursing events was passed by the members. It is not the practice of the ICC to publish rule amendments and invite submissions.

This rule was subsequently ratified by Bord na gCon as is the procedure as per the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.