Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair. If not for his co-operation this debate might never have taken place so that is much appreciated. I welcome the witnesses from Horse Care Ireland. I have a few questions for them but appreciate that they might not be able to explain the whole system to us. It looks like a good proposal but I need to get it into my head. The opening statement states:

The online passport is similar to all other farm animal identifications, with one powerful addition of DNA being used to identify and trace all canine and equine animals dead or alive. This system puts a person and a location with every animal.

I ask the witnesses explain how this can happen. I come from an area where a lot of dogs have attacked sheep. The opening statement also notes, "The farming community has seen first, hand the shocking attacks on sheep and the worrying of other farm animals by out of control dogs" and that it was during discussions about these problems that the concept of an online passport was brought up. I ask the witnesses to explain that further. The submission also states that €6 million is being spent annually on unidentified animals and the different issues that have to be dealt with in that regard. The taxpayer has been exposed. Can the witnesses see a solution to that in their plans?