Concern for greyhound industry

SEANAD REPORT:MINISTER FOR the Environment John Gormley was unable to say if greyhound breeders would be faced with a double fee and inspection regime when the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill becomes law.

Fine Gael members warned that duplication would pose a serious threat to the viability of the greyhound industry. However, Paudie Coffey (FG) conceded that an amendment seeking to exempt the Irish Greyhound Board from the proposed breeding establishment charges would have to be reworded for the Bill’s report stage.

Mr Coffey said the board and the Irish Coursing Club had responsibility for the regulation of standards under the 1958 Greyhound Industry Act. There were not many complaints about maltreatment of greyhounds because it was well regulated.

Ronan Mullen (Ind) said concerns had been expressed that the Bill would introduce undeserved onerous requirements on people who were operating to a high standard, and who would be drawn into a bureaucratic nightmare.

Paddy Burke (FG) asked if there would be double fees and two sets of people visiting establishments or would the new scheme replace the existing arrangements.

Maurice Cummins (FG) said he did not know how anyone could support a Bill which referred to bitches for breeding purposes at four months. Who was advising the Minister in relation to this?

Dominic Hannigan (Lab) said the Minister had spoken of the industry having had five years to get its house in order in terms of this impending legislation, yet he could not answer a straightforward question if there would be additional inspections.

The Minister assured the House there were no hidden agendas in the proposed legislation.

A devaluation of the euro would be of enormous benefit to Ireland, Paschal Mooney (FF) suggested.

Calling for a debate on the lack of credit lines to small and medium-sized businesses, he said debate should encompass the role of the European Central Bank and particularly the relationship that seemed to exist with Germany, which was the driving force in protecting the currency. There was now a growing view among economists, particularly in the light of what was happening in Greece, that there might be at least a debate around the question of having a devaluation of the euro.