Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, we are saying that the considerations to which regard may be had when determining, for the purposes of this section, whether suffering is unnecessary, may, among any other considerations, include issues such as whether the suffering could reasonably have been avoided, terminated or reduced and whether the conduct which caused the suffering was in compliance with this Act, another enactment, animal health and welfare regulation or a code of practice. That sums up what the Deputy stated, which is that this factor can and will be considered, among other considerations, when there is a determination as to whether unnecessary suffering has taken place.