asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will agree that the pictures taken at a coursing meeting in Clonmel and recently published in the media (details supplied) clearly illustrate the barbaric and cruel nature of hare coursing; and whether he will consider requesting the Joint Committee on Legislation to review the existing law which permits live hare coursing and request them to seek public submissions to ascertain the level of public support for the enactment of legislation to ban hare coursing and to empower them to prepare the necessary draft legislation if the submissions received by the committee confirm that there is overwhelming public support for the enactment of such legislation.

9.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will outline the Government's position in regard to hare coursing; and if he has any proposals on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. I would refer the Deputies to my reply on 8 June 1983 to a question on this matter from Deputy Shatter when I stated that I would look into the whole question of coursing. Since then my Department have invited Bord na gCon to submit their views on the matter and when I receive their submission I will consider further how the many conflicting views on this subject might best be reconciled.

In the light of the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Bill before the House in which legislation it is sought to protect animals from unnecessary suffering, would the Minister not agree that it would be consistent to consider the issue of hare coursing in that context with a view to introducing reforming legislation?

I doubt if hares would come within the context of that Bill.

It is outside the context of the Bill.

If the Joint Committee on Legislation sought to examine this area and sought submissions from the general public and then made recommendations to the Minister as to a reform of law, would the Minister seriously consider any report produced by the committee?

I would certainly consider any report from a Dáil committee. If the committee in question consider that they are competent and decide to discuss the matter I will be glad to consider any report.

I trust the Minister will take congnisance of the fact that the anti-coursing lobby are likely to be much more vocal and prone to letter writing than those involved in the greyhound industry. Does he appreciate that hare coursing is a fundamental part of the greyhound industry which has gained international fame and proved very successful in helping our balance of payments? Since the Minister represents a constituency which formerly kennelled "Master McGrath", he should be aware of our recent win in the Waterloo Cup. Much of the heat in relation to this matter is engendered by people who are not au fait with the greyhound industry and its workings.

I think the Deputy is trying to conjure up a picture of my being the hare and virtually millions of greyhounds chasing me. The volume or intensity of representations would never influence my decision. I would like to feel that I was objective. Whether or not the representations were lobsided would not be a factor in my final decision. I recognise the value of the greyhound industry. We have great respect for the way in which Bord na gCon are managing their affairs.

And Ger McKenna.

Would the Minister confirm that a great deal of the greyhound industry could operate apart from the continued existence of hare coursing? I presume the Minister would confirm that in making a decision on this issue he will, as I would expect him to ——

A question, Deputy.

Will the Minister confirm that he will take into account not merely the views expressed by those who are against blood sports, which, of course, the Minister should take into account, but also that people who are in favour of blood sports may freely make representations to the Minister as well?

I take representations from all sides into consideration. That goes without saying.

Does the Minister accept that the continued sucess of the greyhound industry is not dependent on the continued existence of hare coursing?

I am not convinced that that is the case. It is one of the many matters we will have to look at closely.

I think we have coursed this hare long enough.

(Limerick West): In view of the uncertainty being created by people who are against hare coursing, could the Minister indicate when he is likely to receive the report from Bord na gCon and when he is likely to make a decision?

I have no indication of when I will get that report, but I will remind them that it is overdue.