Paul Murphy Urges Debate, Calls for Ban on Live Calf Exports
Paul Murphy demanded an immediate parliamentary debate on shocking revelations about the dairy industry's treatment of calves and called for a ban on live calf exports. He criticised the Taoiseach for describing the abuses as "a few bad apples" and urged that the Department of Agriculture's reported investigation be brought before the House before the summer recess.
Call for immediate debate
Paul Murphy insisted the issue should be debated this week rather than waiting until September, saying deputies deserve an opportunity to discuss the implications of the government report and the Department of Agriculture investigation before the House rises.
Ban on live exports
He called for a ban on live calf exports, arguing the industry has been organised to prioritise profit over humane treatment. He described the export of hundreds of thousands of calves on yearly long journeys in massively overcrowded trucks - journeys of 18 hours plus - without adequate rest, food or water, and cited horrific mistreatment including calves being kicked, thrown around and hit with sticks.
Criticism of the government's response and procedure
Murphy accused the Taoiseach of washing the government's hands of responsibility and dismissed the response as disingenuous. He challenged procedural arguments about private members' bills and the legislative programme, saying time could be made if priorities were adjusted and that the investigation should be debated now.
Other issues raised in the same session
He also addressed other matters raised by deputies, including concerns about people on bail, the variability of excess debts over recent years, a stated 20 per cent reduction in hospital overcrowding since last year, and renewed calls for debate on child poverty.
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We need to have a debate this week about the shocking revelations about the dark side of the dairy industry. As a doll, I do not think we can just close our eyes to the horrific treatment of hundreds of thousands of calves on a yearly basis and rise for summer recess. The Taoiseach earlier seems to suggest that this is just a few bad apples. That is the government washing its hands of its responsibility for creating an industry where, bluntly, the export of live calves can either be profitable or it can be humane. And clearly the decision has been made for it to be profitable. This is not just about a few calves being horrifically kicked, thrown around, hit with sticks, horrific though that is. It is about the export of hundreds of thousands of calves on a yearly basis in massively overcrowded trucks, in long journeys, 18 hours plus, without anything like adequate rest, food, water and so on. We need a ban on those live exports. It has been reported that there is an investigation from the Department of Agriculture, that is welcome, but that should come before the House. We should be able to debate what the nature of that investigation is before the doll rises. I want to thank all the deputies for raising these very important issues. In response to Deputy McCarthy's query, it is a fact that there are thousands of people out on bail. There are today, and some people on bail commit crimes. Sadly, it is not that uncommon. It would not be possible our right for us to jail. Everyone is on bail. It would not be practical. It would not be just. It is ultimately a decision of the courts to decide who is granted bail and who is not. Not us in this House. I will come to that. Please, can the teacher answer? In relation to Deputy Murphy and Deputy Batchick, again, seeking a debate on animal welfare. Deputy McGrath seeking a debate on excess debts. Excess debts vary from year to year. Look at the course of excess debts over the past couple of years. There is not an increase. It may be of interest to know that hospital overcrowding is 20 per cent lower today than it was last year. It is a fact, Deputy. Deputy Whitmore has sought a debate on child poverty again, a very important issue, one close to my heart. These are four important issues that deputies are seeking debate on. The Opposition has three SOTS this week. You did not choose any of them as a priority. We can have debates on three of those four issues. You just have to make them a priority. That is completely unacceptable. We are talking about a Government report that has been laid before this House. The members of this House deserve an opportunity to debate it. The implications of it are quite profound. I have to say that the Taoiseach's response is disingenuous in the extreme. The deadline for having private members' bills in was Friday. The idea that the Opposition could have used its time to anticipate a programme that was on next week is just not possible. This is news now. An investigation has been announced by the Department. We should be able to debate this rather than going off until September. We have a legislative programme as a Government. We have important legislation that we want to get through and get done this week. Every week the Opposition is given three issues to prioritise. I am sure that if they are willing to withdraw one of those private members' bills or two, we could make the time for one of these issues. Are the Proposal Arrangements agreed to? You
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