Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Jun 1965

Vol. 59 No. 1

Protection of Animals (Amendment) Bill, 1963 [Seanad Bill amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages.

Bill received for final consideration.

Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."

Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Haughey)

As most Senators know, this Bill began its career here in the Seanad. It was amended very considerably here. I have no hesitation in saying it was vastly improved by the manner in which it was amended here. It went to the Dáil subsequently. The Dáil, so extremely well had the Seanad done its work, could find only one useful amendment it could make to the Bill. That amendment was to section 14, subsection (4) and consisted of substituting the words "such roads" for "such places". I think no greater tribute could be paid to the Seanad.

Briefly, the section is concerned with the laying of poison and it was felt that the existing provisions with regard to the laying of poison and the use of the words "public places" was too restricted. It could result, in the case of some small farms, in the laying of poison anywhere. The suggestion was made that "public roads" would be more complex than "public places". The amendment is sent back from the Dáil for the approval of the Seanad.

Seán Ó Donnabháin

The Minister has said practically all the things I was about to say. The rumour has been moving about that the Seanad is not playing a full part. I think this Bill has been sufficient demonstration to the public, and to the press representatives who do a lot of accusing the Seanad of not doing this and not doing that and not having enough meetings, that the Seanad is playing a full part. I do not wish to delay the House with any further references.

This Bill was not sponsored by the Minister. I think we imposed it on him. It was a Private Members Bill on introduction. He has said already that in this House we amended the original copy which was received on Second Reading and I think about a dozen amendments were passed. In all justification to the Seanad, when this Bill went to the Dáil only one word was changed before it came back here tonight. I was responsible for many of these amendments. I should like also to refer to the Mines and Quarries Bill for which a Member on the other side was responsible.

An Cathaoirleach

A discussion on the Mines and Quarries Bill is not in order.

Seán Ó Donnabháin

If I may say so, I am referring to the usefulness of the Seanad. The Seanad passed several amendments to that Bill which were accepted in Dáil Éireann. I wish to say that this Seanad does serve a useful purpose, and I only hope we will have other cases similar to this. Only one amendment was received back from the Dáil. I recommend that we accept it; I see no objection to it.

Professor Stanford

The passing of this Bill will be the fruit of some eight years of co-operation between the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and four Government Departments, I hope I may take this opportunity of saying how grateful all those who cherish the welfare of animals are to the officials involved. A special thanks to the Minister who was then Minister for Justice and is now Minister for Agriculture. He took a very helpful and friendly interest in the Bill before it went to the Seanad and after it came here. He sponsored it in the Dáil and his officials in the Department of Justice were very helpful. Credit is due to the Seanad for the constructive debate on the Bill. It lost some provisions. That loss weakened it but I shall not talk about that. As it stands, the Bill improves the welfare of animals an our country. A good deal more needs to be done before we reach the level of our neighbours in this measure hut it is a considerable step forward.

Question put and agreed to.