COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

DOGS (AMENDMENT) BILL EVIDENCE SESSION
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY 19 OCTOBER 2010,
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP 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)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Dagmar Walgraeve (Clerical Officer)
Miss Alison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA

The Deputy Chairperson opened the meeting at 10.32 AM in Public Session

The meeting was inquorate.

1. Presentation –Dogs Trust – Oral evidence in relation to the proposed Dogs (Amendment) Bill

The following representative joined the meeting

Chris Laurence – Head of Veterinary Division

The representative presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

During questions:

10:40 am Mr Doherty joined the meeting

The meeting became quorate

10:49 am Mr McCarthy joined the meeting

10:56 am Mr Gibson left the meeting

11:05 am Mr Savage left the meeting

The meeting became inquorate.

11:10am The representative left the meeting

11:10am The meeting was suspended.

11:24am The Deputy Chairperson resumed the meeting. The meeting was quorate with the following members present:

Mr Beggs; Mr Gibson; Mr McCarthy; Mr Malloy; Mr Savage

2. Apologies

As above

3. Minutes

Agreed : The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 12 October 2010

4. Matters Arising

The Committee noted correspondence issued since the meeting of 12 October 2010

The Committee noted correspondence received since the meeting of 12 October 2010

5. Clause by Clause Scrutiny of the Dogs (Amendment) Bill

The following Members Declared an Interest;

Mr Beggs; Mr Molloy

11:25 The following Departmental officials joined the meeting

Colette McMaster - Director of Animal Health and Welfare Policy Division;

John Terrington -  Head of Dog Control Bill Team;

Martin Mooney - Dog Control Bill Team.

Clause 1 – Exemptions

Agreed: The Committee agreed to set this clause aside until the formal clause by clause scrutiny of the Bill.

Clause 2 – Microchipping

Members put questions on this clause to the Department officials.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would take further consideration on Clause 2.

Clause 3- Licensing of Dangerous Dogs

Members put questions on this clause to the Department officials.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would take further consideration on Clause 3.

Clause 4 – Fees

Members put questions on this clause to the Department officials.

During questions

11:57am Mr Irwin joined the meeting

12:10pm Mr Savage left the meeting

12:12pm Mr Bradley joined the meeting

Mr Irwin declared an interest

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would take further consideration on Clause 4.

Clause 5 – Contingent Destruction orders where no prosecution

Members put questions on this clause to the Department officials.

During questions

12:16pm Mr Moutray joined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would take further consideration on Clause 5.

Clause 6 – Setting on or urging a dog to attack

Members put questions on this clause to the Department officials.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would take further consideration on Clause 6.

Clause 7 – Attack by dog on a person or another dog

Agreed: The Committee agreed to set this clause aside until the formal clause by clause scrutiny of the Bill.

12:24pm Mr Irwin left the meeting

12:24pm Mr McCarthy left the meeting

Clause 8 – Control conditions on dog licenses

Members put questions on this clause to the Department officials.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would take further consideration on Clause 8.

Clause 9 – Contingent destruction orders on conviction

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would take further consideration on Clause 9.

Clause 10 – Entry onto land to prevent or end attack by dog on another dog

Clause 11 – Fixed penalty offences

Clause 12 – Payment of fixed penalties

Clause 13 – Use of fixed penalty receipts of council

Agreed: The Committee agreed to set these clauses aside until the formal clause by clause scrutiny of the Bill.

Clause 14 – Amount of fixed penalty

Agreed: The Committee agreed to set this clause aside until the formal clause by clause scrutiny of the Bill.

Clause 15 – Interpretation

Clause 16 - Minor and consequential amendments and repeals

Clause 17 – Commencement

Clause 18 – Short Title

Members put questions on these clauses to the Department officials.

During Questions

11:34 Mr Irwin re-joined the meeting

Agreed : The Committee agreed that it will seek legal advice in relation to Departments either transferring or increasing the powers of local councils .

6. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting in relation to the Dogs Bill will be on Tuesday, 02 November at 10.30 in room 30.

The meeting was adjourned 12:36PM

Mr Roy Beggs
Deputy Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

12 October (Welfare of Animal Bill Session) / Menu