COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

DOGS (AMENDMENT) BILL EVIDENCE SESSION
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY 02 NOVEMBER 2010,
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Mr Simpson Gibson MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mr Francie Molloy MLA
Mr George Savage MLA

In attendance:
Mr Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Mrs Ashleigh Mitford (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Dagmar Walgraeve (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA

The meeting commenced at 10.32 AM in Public Session

1. Apologies

As above

2. Minutes

Agreed : The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 19 October 2010

3. Matters Arising

The Committee noted correspondence issued since the meeting of 19 October 2010

The Committee noted correspondence received since the meeting of 19 October 2010

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

The following members declared an interest:

Mr Moutray; Mr Beggs; Mr W Clarke; Mr Malloy

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 2 – Microchipping

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

During questions:

10.39 am Mr. Savage joined the meeting

10.44 am Mr. Irwin joined the meeting

Agreed: The Clerk would seek evidence from Omagh District Council around its dual operation of micro-chipping and licensing systems.

11.18 am Mr. Doherty left the meeting

11.25 am Mr. T Clarke joined the meeting

11.30 am Mr. Gibson joined the meeting

Agreed: The Department agreed that it would provide further information on a number of issues and that it would seek the views of the Minister on making this clause dormant until such times as appropriate processes and procedures are developed to allow the functional operation of micro-chipping.

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 Departmental officials.

Agreed : It was agreed that the Clerk will provide a briefing on the issues surrounding this clause and, in particular, automatic control conditions being placed on breeds that are currently banned.

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

Clause 4 – Fees

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would take further consideration on Clause 4 in light of its concerns around clause 2.

Clause 5 – Contingent Destruction orders where no prosecution

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 Departmental officials.

The Department confirmed that Article 28 (3) (b) (as introduced by clause 6), as well as a number of consequential articles, be subject to the affirmative process rather than the negative process.

The Department confirmed that the restriction in respect of attacks on people, livestock and other dogs be extended to include all companion animals.

Agreed: The Department agreed that the draft amendments would be provided for consideration at the next clause by clause session.

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

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

Agreed: It was agreed that this clause also be extended to incorporate all companion animals and that a draft amendment be made available for consideration at the next clause by clause session

12.12 pm Mr. Doherty re-joined the meeting

Clause 8 – Control conditions on dog licenses

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

Agreed: It was agreed that a draft amendment be provided for consideration at the next clause by clause session.

Clause 9 – Contingent destruction orders on conviction

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

Clause 14 – Amount of fixed penalty

The Department confirmed that the fee system could be aligned with that contained in the Clean Neighborhoods and Environment Bill.

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

Agreed: The Department agreed that it would provide a draft amendment for consideration at the next clause by clause session.

Clause 4 – Fees

The Committee returned to the consideration of clause 4.

Agreed: Lifetime licenses will be discussed at next week’s session.

5. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting in relation to the Dogs Bill will be on Tuesday, 09 November at 10.30 in room 30.

The meeting was adjourned 12:27PM

Mr Stephen Moutray
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

19 October / Menu