THE GOVERNMENT has rejected a request to have the controversial legislation regulating puppy farms deferred until the autumn.
Rural Ireland Says Enough! (Rise!) has written to TDs and Senators suggesting that final consideration of the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2010 by the Dáil be put back until September.
The Dáil is due to vote on the final stages of the Bill on Thursday, before the House adjourns for the summer recess.
A spokesman for Rise! said yesterday that there was universal support for the principle of enacting legislation regulating puppy farming.
“However, the Bill that was intended to do so has proved to be extremely contentious and divisive.”
Government Chief Whip John Curran said he did not see merit in the proposal given the huge amount of work put into the preparation of the Bill.
“This is not rushed legislation put through the House without due regard for various viewpoints,” said Mr Curran. “Amendments to the Bill have been announced.”
During the second-stage debate on the Bill last week, Minister for the Environment John Gormley said that the microchipping of hunting dogs would be delayed for a year as a concession to hunt clubs.
Mr Gormley also said that the animal welfare provisions would be addressed through amending the 1958 Greyhound Industry Act.
Tipperary South Fianna Fáil TD Mattie McGrath has said he will oppose the Bill, but it is likely to be supported by Independent TDs Jackie Healy-Rae (Kerry South) and Michael Lowry (Tipperary North).
Mr Healy-Rae and Mr Lowry have an arrangement to support the Government in return for various constituency projects.
However, they both voted last week against Mr Gormley’s Wildlife (Amendment) Bill banning stag hunting.
Mr McGrath also voted against the Bill in the electronic vote and lost the Fianna Fáil whip.
Mr Healy-Rae said yesterday that he was not “100 per cent clear on the amendments to the Bill, but they sound fairly good”.
He said he would make up his mind after his weekly meeting with Mr Curran this afternoon.
Mr Lowry is expected to do the same.
