John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If one telephones and makes a complaint to some stations they will say it is not an issue for them but for the local authority or for the services for the prevention of cruelty to animals. It goes round and round. Recently, I read that they were asked to scan the horses and they did not have a scanner. That should be examined and fines in accordance with the legislation could be applied, thereby bringing in further revenue to the State. Local authorities will complain that bringing cases costs them a great deal but the fines are never paid. There is a breakdown somewhere in the system of applying the law, whether it is a question of legislation or of the gardaí pursuing or not being able to pursue the case because they lack the power. If that is so and there is a weakness in the legislation I encourage the Acting Commissioner to come forward and point it out so that some of us in this House might pursue it as a matter of policy because of our concerns. I would like the Acting Commissioner also to look into the scanner issue.

How much did the Garda spend on the missing persons unit? Is there one? If so, how many gardaí are involved in it? What is the progress to date? There is a significant number of people still missing, such as JoJo Dollard.

I have yet to see an ongoing public profile of that or other cases to try to jerk someone’s memory or conscience to come forward with information. Although it is said that there is regular contact with families in these circumstances I know that is not the case. The HSE plays no role or part in counselling these families. How much does the Garda spend on the missing persons unit? Why does it not take a case, such as the JoJo Dollard case, and reconstruct it publicly and encourage people to come forward on an ongoing basis, as the National Center for Missing and Exploited children in Washington DC would do?