Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I am not satisfied with the Deputy's wording in this amendment. The difficulty is that the phrase "appropriate to the animal species" does not deal with suffering or welfare issues. One certainly might make the assumption that it does do so, but we are striving for the utmost clarity in terms of the requirements on farmers and other animal owners. Specifically, we must ensure they have regard to the animal's nature, type, species and so on and that they ensure all buildings used to contain animals are constructed and maintained in a manner conducive to the welfare of those animals. We need to ensure animal owners have regard to the animal's nature, type, species and so on and to ensure all buildings used to contain the animal are constructed and maintained in a manner that ensures the animal is not caused injury or unnecessary suffering rather than just say "appropriate to the animal species", because that could be appropriate in terms of efficiency as regards stocking rates, for example, or appropriate as regards access to water, feed or whatever. The section specifically states: "in a manner that the animal is not caused injury or unnecessary suffering". In other words, there must be adequate space. Animals need to be able to move around. They should not fall through slatted floors. Likewise, it is not always cattle. It could be some other form of housing that ensures animals are not causing themselves injury by simply trying to move around. For me, this is quite an important section on which we need to be very clear in terms of people's responsibility in terms of the housing of animals and ensuring animals do not cause themselves unnecessary suffering. I mention sharp objects on the ground or sticking out of the wall and so on. That is not really covered by the words "appropriate to the animal species".

I know what the Senator is getting at and I will take a look at it but we need a much stronger wording than what he proposes. Perhaps there is something we could include which recognises that different types of housing are required for different types of species. I do not have a problem with that. If the Senator wants to come back with an amendment on Report Stage, I will look at it but I want the words "that the animal is not caused injury or unnecessary suffering" and that we have a practical approach towards the housing of animals which will not lead to unnecessary injury. I am afraid I will stick with my wording on this.