Mr. Eoin Cullen:

When we first get a call in and if we know the exact area, we will contact the local Garda station to see if they are able to attend the situation.

We will also try to contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to let its officials know. We log every incident that comes to our attention. Unfortunately, one of the main issues with contacting the Garda is that while gardaí are fantastic, they do not know enough about the animal health and welfare legislation to help us on a regular basis. A number of gardaí in different counties are looking to learn a lot more about that legislation and want to get more involved. That is fantastic from our point of view. Those gardaí want to do it. However, at the Garda College in Templemore, only half a day is spent on animal health and welfare legislation. That is all prospective gardaí learn as part of their training. It used to be a day's training but that has been cut back. Unfortunately, the knowledge required to allow gardaí to dive on board is not there but as soon as we have a conversation with them, help and inform them, they will get involved. We then get in touch with local authorities and local councils. They are the people with whom we would look to get in touch.