ALL GOVERNMENT TDs are expected to support the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill following the intervention of Taoiseach Brian Cowen. It is due to receive final Dáil approval today.
The pro-hunting campaign group Rise! (Rural Ireland Says Enough!) has also announced that a demonstration against the Bill at Leinster House today is being deferred “pending further clarification”.
Mr Cowen took part in a meeting yesterday with Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South West, Christy O’Sullivan, who had indicated he would vote against the Bill because of its impact on hunting packs.
The meeting was also attended by Government Chief Whip John Curran, Deputy Chief Whip John Cregan and officials from the Departments of the Taoiseach and Environment. The Taoiseach was present for 15 or 20 minutes but the meeting lasted about 90 minutes. It is understood Mr O’Sullivan indicated he would support the Bill, although he was not available for comment.
Fianna Fáil North Tipperary TD Máire Hoctor, who had also expressed concerns about the Bill, said yesterday she would be voting for it and expected that all members of the parliamentary party would do the same.
Mr Cowen also met the Hunting Association of Ireland, a constituent element of Rise!, to discuss the legislation. The chief whip was also present at this meeting, along with a senior civil servant.
Sources close to Rise said last night that the delegation was “satisfied with what they heard”.
“Considerable progress seems to have been made which will be reduced to writing overnight and confirmed with those present,” Rise sources said.
The Irish Greyhound Board has welcomed a proposed change whereby the board would not be regulated by the dog breeding legislation but by way of an amendment to the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.
A board spokesman said: “We are looking forward to working with the Department of Agriculture to make sure that all of the necessary welfare regulations, which are already being implemented in practice, are given full statutory effect.”
Independents Jackie Healy-Rae and Michael Lowry, whose position was in some doubt, are expected to vote for the Bill today.
However, Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath, who lost the Fianna Fáil whip for voting against the stag-hunting Bill last week, said yesterday he would also be opposing the dog breeding legislation.
“I’m voting against it,” he said. “The only aspect I want is the elimination of the puppy farm abuses. If I can’t vote for that separately, I will vote against the whole thing.”
He was not reassured by Mr Gormley’s amendments because there were still provisions for the Minister to review various aspects. “Pardon the pun, but he still wants his paws on it,” Mr McGrath said.
A statement from Rise said: “Following a meeting today between representatives of Rise and the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD, and pending further clarification of a number of matters discussed, the demo planned for tomorrow outside the Dáil has been deferred.”