Before the Bill passes, there are a few observations I wish to make. On the Second Reading, I called the attention of the House to the fact that a decision was reached in the Supreme Court which had a direct bearing on many provisions in this Bill. The Minister for Health in reply to the debate on the Second Reading, referred to the points which I had raised and made some observations which, I think, should be commented upon. I do not think this Bill, which, in its Long Title, is expressed to be a Bill for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry and for the better control of greyhound race tracks and coursing grounds, will achieve that purpose. I had hoped the Minister would consider it more seriously than he did, for, in my view, the Bill will lead to confusion.
It seems to me that the Oireachtas has only such powers as are given to it under the Constitution. The Constitution is the Constitution which the people have given themselves, and in that Constitution it has been ordained, as I said, very specifically what the powers of the Oireachtas are in regard to legislating. I do not think it would be easy to find a more positive obligation in the whole of the Constitution than that which is laid on the Oireachtas in Article 15, paragraph 4, which states:—
"The Oireachtas shall not enact any law which is in any respect repugnant to this Constitution or any provision thereof."
However, the Minister for Health adopts the view that the Oireachtas can legislate in any way it likes.