Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

We are trying to cover all animals, including farm animals, in the legislation. However, we make a distinction in respect of farm animals in the context of farming practices and so forth. We also make a distinction in respect of the treatment of some animals which are hunted in the course of normal hunting or fishing practices - this is covered later in the Bill - although some requirements need to be met in terms of acceptable standards and so on. We have tried to make a distinction between animals which are farmed and other animals, whether they are kept for domestic purposes, pets or whether they are wild animals. It may be somewhat dangerous to get into terminology such as "self-sustaining animals". Certain animals are at risk of extinction if we do not act to protect them, for example, the red squirrel. This may be because of other animals encroaching on their territory or because of human activity.

We have deliberately tried to keep "animal" as a broadly defined word. Moreover, we have deliberately referred to "farm animals" because they are in a different category in many ways with regard to acceptable practices in the normal course of farming and so on. Some of the amendments are attempts to deal with this issue and we can discuss them and try to accommodate the Senator's concerns. We will take it amendment by amendment.

I have received a note in respect of the matter of premises and a farm dwelling. The latter is distinct and requires a separate warrant. The broader definition of a "premises" includes a farm dwelling as well. If an animal is being kept within a farm dwelling and is being abused, it should apply whether it is a farm dwelling or another dwelling. If animals are being abused something should be done about it. There is a distinction between human dwelling places and other premises in terms of the need for a warrant to send someone in to examine them. In other words, there will not be authorised officers walking into people's homes because they have heard something or because they have some evidence of cruelty. That would require a warrant whether it is a farm dwelling or an urban dwelling. There is a distinction in terms of the required warrant for entering a person's dwelling. Farm families can and should be reassured in this regard. That is not to say that if there is evidence or a reason to believe there is significant cruelty going on within a house an authorised officer could not get a warrant to knock on the door. I hope the questions have been addressed.