I join others in wishing Senator Grace O'Sullivan well. I said a few words on her departure last week. We will miss her presence in our offices in Leinster House 2000. I noticed that ever since the Green Party moved in-----

Senator Ruane is welcome to take up lodgings in the Fine Gael accommodation.

-----I go back to turn off the light in the little kitchen beside our office whenever I remember that I left it on. I run around closing the microwave door and turning off lights. She has definitely raised my consciousness in terms of being far more aware of my choices.

On the greyhound industry and the issues that have been revealed since yesterday, I find it extremely frustrating to listen to Fianna Fáil Senators speaking on greyhound licensing when they voted against amendments which we tabled and which were designed to stop licensing the export of greyhounds to China and Pakistan. We should never wait for failings in respect of animal or other rights to be exposed on national television. Rather, we should always seek to prevent problems through legislation. Legislation on this matter came before the House in the past few months and we had a significant opportunity to strengthen it in regard to animal cruelty. It is appalling to think that there people had dogs' ears removed in order that they could not be identified. We could have strengthened the Greyhound Racing Bill when it came before the House some months ago, especially regarding the licensing of exports to countries where the cruelty perpetrated is even more extreme than the horrific cruelty shown last night on "Prime Time". It is dishonest and hypocritical for parties or people to state that we need to look at a particular issue, but not acknowledge that only a few months ago they voted down measures to address it. I need to point that out, especially after seeing the obscene images broadcast last night.

Ba bhreá liom comhghairdeas a rá leis an Seanadóir Grace O’Sullivan agus guím gach rath uirthi leis an bpost nua i bParlaimint na hEorpa. I wish Senator Grace O'Sullivan all the best in her new political role.

I second what was stated by Senator Feighan and referred to by Senator Ruane, which is that there is clearly something amiss with a sport or industry that involves killing or culling on such a large scale. I do not use the language of animal rights. I remember an election slogan some years ago which stated "People matter most". Human beings have rights and dignity and we must care for their welfare. Of course, animals have dignity and we need to care for their welfare. In the context of exercising our stewardship over creation, we must ensure that we do not demean ourselves by demeaning or mistreating animals. I have often been critical of people who appear to care more about vulnerable animals than they do about vulnerable humans. I do not have any truck with such inconsistent thinking, but our responsibility as human beings and to the planet requires that we concern ourselves with the welfare of animals. Issues that are unedifying, to say the least, and hard going for the squeamish have been exposed. The House should have a debate on the matter. We need to consider what policy and legislative consequences need to follow in order to ensure that animals are treated with respect even as we use or enjoy them in sport. We do not have a great history in terms of how we treated animals, as is evident from the literature of our school days. In particular, I remember Peig Sayers documenting deeply disturbing things that happened to animals. We have moved on and it is important that we make choices which reflect that.