Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 7

Written Answers. - Greyhound Registration.

Alan Shatter

Question:

78 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the owners of greyhounds have to register their animals with the Irish Coursing Club and become paid up members of a local coursing club; the reason also such registration fees should not be paid directly to Bord na gCón; his views on whether the compulsory membership of local coursing clubs is opposed by many greyhound owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Section 26 of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, recognises the Irish Coursing Club as being the controlling authority for the breeding of greyhounds and provides that the constitution of the Club shall be as set forth in the Schedule to the Act. The Schedule provides that an object of the Club shall be the promotion of the breeding of thoroughbred greyhounds (including maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book). These provisions reflect the position that obtained when the legislation was enacted. The legislation is, however, now being comprehensively reviewed.

Membership of a coursing club by owners of thoroughbred greyhounds is considered by the Irish Coursing Club to be necessary for the proper control and management of the stud book. Since registration fees relate to the keeping of the stud book there are no grounds on which they could be paid directly to Bord na gCon.

I understand from the Irish Coursing Club that only three objections have been received by them from greyhound owners in recent times on the question of compulsory membership of local coursing clubs.