Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

The Minister does not need a Bill such as this to do something about them. There are basic, practical steps the Minister can take to address the issue of the welfare of urban animals, including providing more resources to local authorities but it is certain the Minister will not do that.

There are serious issues in regard to child welfare which have not been addressed by this Government, despite the all-party consensus on the need for legislation to deal with the anomalies in child welfare, statutory rape and the predatory activities of some people in regard to young people. That legislation has not been progressed. The reports adopted by this House have been left on the shelf by the Government. It has done nothing to stop incineration.

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