THE VOTING intentions of two Fianna Fáil TDs on controversial animal welfare legislation was unknown last night, pending the publication of amendments.
North Tipperary TD Máire Hoctor said last night that she was concerned that the Department of the Environment had not yet published the amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, which had been promised since last Friday.
A spokesman for the department said the amendments had been finalised last night and had been relayed to the Bills Office and should be published by this morning, ahead of Oireachtas debates on the matter.
However, Ms Hoctor said her support for the legislation could not be guaranteed until she saw the amendments, which will exclude the greyhound industry from the legislation and also make some compromises, that may benefit hunting packs. However, hunting packs will still be subject to the legislation.
The department spokesman said the amendments were completely in line with the speech given by Minister for the Environment John Gormley during the second stage debate in the Dáil last Friday.
Another Fianna Fáil TD, Christy O’Sullivan from Cork South West, has signalled he will oppose the Bill unless concessions are made for hunting packs. He could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath, who lost the Fianna Fáil whip after voting against stag hunting legislation, has said he will vote against the Bill.
Two Independent TDs who normally oppose the Government, Finian McGrath and Maureen O’Sullivan, are both expected to support the legislation. Both are strong animal welfare advocates.
Meanwhile, there is a strong likelihood that three Fianna Fáil Senators could also lose the party whip over the Civil Partnership Bill.
Senators Labhras Ó Murchú, Jim Walsh and John Hanafin met Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern last week seeking changes to the Bill, including an exemption from sanctions for churches who refuse to rent out their properties for civil partnership celebrations, and the extension of protection to unmarried siblings who live in the same house.
Yesterday, Mr Hanafin said he would not declare his intentions until the Government indicated how it would respond to three substantive amendments tabled by the three Senators.
Mr Ó Murchú said he had an open mind, but there was a possibility he would abstain or vote against. “We should have been allowed a free vote. Conscience at a time like this is paramount,” he said.
Asked about the vote, he told RTÉ: “It’s not possible for me to go along with this without giving it very serious consideration.”
Mr Walsh was not available for comment yesterday, but has also spoken out strongly against the Bill.