Ms Sarah Lynch:

We have oversight in that area. As has been said, it is hard to check where it went wrong. Let us say there is a blip along the way and we realise the data is not correct and was not completed properly, if the chips provided by the database providers are sent out to registered implanters such as a veterinary practice, there is a record of that. We have the system in place in this country and there are records of the microchips in the database, including records of whom they are sent to. If they are sent to a veterinary surgeon, if that is implanted and checked and if that data is incorrect or was not entered, it is possible to find out what the chip's number, where it went, what database it belongs to and where it was sent. There is a trail that can be followed but who is going to do that work? If something happens, as Mr. Dowling said, it can be flagged that this is an issue and the owner can be told he or she is in breach of the legislation but who will ensure a change is made? Who will ensure something is done so this does not happen again, or if it happens that there is a penalty for flouting the legislation? That is an area that might be missing.