Amendments Nos. 1, 2, 27 and 50 to 53, inclusive, are related and may be taken together.
Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage
I move amendment No.1 :
In page 7, line 14, after “AMEND” to insert “THE DOG BREEDING ESTABLISHMENTS ACT 2010,”.
Before we get on to the amendment, I just want to say that we have had a long debate on this Bill in the Seanad with a good Second Stage and a comprehensive Committee Stage in the Dáil. There are 55 amendments which I hope to deal with today, if possible, but I am obviously in the hands of the Opposition spokespeople. We have groupings with which we can agree. If the House wishes to facilitate it, the intention is to get this Bill finished today as I am anxious to make it law as soon as possible. We do have animal welfare issues that I would like to deal with by using the tools available in this legislation. I want to do that sooner rather than later. It is my intention to get through the amendments as quickly as possible today.
I do not want to delay unnecessarily the Bill today but it must go back to the Seanad which will want to examine the large number of Committee and Report Stage amendments the Dáil has made to it. I presume it is not the Minister’s intention to go into the Seanad tomorrow with the Bill. If Deputies want to make detailed points - there are still some issues of contention about the Bill - it would be a pity to rush the legislation. It would be better to spend another two weeks to get it right so it will stand in five years time.
Debate adjourned.
Sitting suspended at 1.30 p.m. and resumed at 2.30 p.m.