Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
339. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of dogs that are now competing or have competed at the Irish Greyhound Board licensed stadia that are in breach of artificial insemination legislation; the amount of prize money that has been won by greyhounds registered in breach of artificial insemination legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26434/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is responsible for the identification and registration of greyhounds in the Irish Greyhound Studbook. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon (BNG) under Section 26 (2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 (the Act). BNG is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing. Detailed rules governing the practice of the artificial insemination of greyhounds were set down in the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations, 2005, (S.I. No. 561 of 2005), which were made by BNG under Section 39 of the Act.
My Department was informed by BNG in early 2013 that procedural issues had arisen in relation to the registration of greyhounds conceived following artificial insemination which were at variance with the provisions set down in the 2005 regulations. These provided for a two-year limit on the use of semen for artificial insemination following the death of a stud dog, and thereafter any unused semen had to be destroyed.
My Department requested BNG to pursue the issue with the ICC, following which BNG introduced new legislation in this area, namely “Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds (Amendment) Regulations 2014” removing the two-year limit.
The specific information sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for BNG and I understand that it is not readily available.
