I move amendment No. 10:
In page 8, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following:
"(d) by an officer of the ISPCA.".
An authorised officer should also be an officer of the ISPCA. I am aware that under by-laws a local authority can designate an officer of the ISPCA. The Minister of State has tightened up and redefined the Bill with drafting amendments. I propose this amendment to copperfasten the fact that an officer of the ISPCA could be an authorised officer.
When changes on dog licences were introduced my local authority entrusted the responsibility to the local ISPCA. I am not sure about the necessity for this amendment. It is something that could be left to the discretion of the local authority.
Section 3 (1) states:
A local authority may appoint in writing such and so many persons as it sees fit to be authorised persons for the purpose of this Act.
If the ISPCA was named in the Bill problems might arise with other welfare bodies. I received a letter this afternoon from one such body fearing that it would be excluded. It is up to the local authority to appoint officers from the ISPCA subject to agreement between the local authority and the organisation. This is adequately covered and I expect that the local authorities will work closely with the ISPCA and will authorise ISPCA officers in their various functional areas.
Is the DSPCA part of the ISPCA? It would not be the intention to exclude it.
I understand that the DSPCA is a subsidiary of the ISPCA.
I have no problems with this. The situation is covered. If the Minister of State considers it may cause problems I will withdraw the amendment.
