COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
WELFARE OF ANIMALS BILL EVIDENCE SESSION
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2010,
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (Chairperson)
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Simpson Gibson MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Francie Molloy MLA
Mr George Savage MLA
In attendance:
Mr Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Mrs Ashleigh Mitford (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Dr Jessica Golden-Alexander (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Tom Elliott MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
The meeting commenced at 1 31 PM in Public Session
1. Apologies
As above
2. Minutes
Agreed : The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 21 September 2010
1.32PM Mr Bradley joined the meeting
1.32PM Mr McCarthy joined the meeting
3. Presentation – Kennel Club – Oral evidence in relation to the proposed Welfare of Animals Bill
The following representatives joined the meeting:
Victoria Brown – Public Affairs Officer
Bill Lambert - Health and Breeder Services Manager
1.35PM Mr W Clarke joined the meeting
1.37PM Mr Molloy joined the meeting
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
4. Presentation – Countryside Alliance – Oral evidence in relation to the proposed Welfare of Animals Bill
The following representatives joined the meeting:
Lyall Plant – CEO Countryside Alliance Ireland
Michael Watts NVB MSc MRSVS –Honorary Secretary of Society of Greyhound Vets
James Barrington – Animal Welfare Consultant to CAI, Council of Hunting Association and the All Party Parliamentary Middle Way Group
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.24PM Mr McCarthy left the meeting
CAI agreed to forward further information to the Committee
During questions
2.34PM Mr Savage left the meeting
2.39PM Mr Irwin left the meeting. The meeting became inquorate
5. Presentation –DARD– Oral evidence in relation to the proposed Welfare of Animals Bill
The following departmental officials joined the meeting
Colette McMaster -Grade 5 - Assistant Secretary (Director of Animal Health and Welfare Policy Division)
Kate Davey - Grade 7 - Principal Officer (Head of Welfare of Animals Bill Team)
Paddy McGuckian - Grade 7, Divisional Veterinary Officer (Enzootic Disease & Animal Welfare Division, Veterinary Service)
Andrew Kell - DP - Deputy Principal (Welfare of Animals Bill Team).
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.45PM Mr Savage re-joined the meeting. The meeting regained quorum.
2.59PM Mr Irwin re-joined the meeting
3.32PM Mr Irwin left the meeting
Mr T Clarke proposed the following, seconded by Mr Savage:
This Committee proposes that clause six of the Bill be removed.
Question put.
The Committee divided. Ayes 4; Noes 2.
AYES
Mr Moutray, Mr T Clarke, Mr Molloy, Mr Savage
NOES
Mr W Clarke, Mr Gibson
Question put and agreed to.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk would seek legal advice as to the potential for challenge as a result of the Committee taking the decision before the end of the oral evidence sessions
6. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, 5 October in Room 30 at 13:30.
The next oral evidence sessions will be on Thursday, 7 th October in the Dogs Trust Headquarters in Ballymena at 10.30am and 1.30pm
The meeting was adjourned at 3.45pm
Mr Stephen Moutray
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development
28 September Morning Session / Menu |
