Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We must move to a point, not where there is increased compliance, but where every dog is microchipped. If a dog is impounded and it is not microchipped, it should not be released until it is microchipped. When dog wardens are going about their business - I agree with Senator McGreehan's point that there are not enough dog wardens - they should be able to check immediately when walking past a dog, whether it is microchipped. That is the only way we will get to a point where we have full compliance. It is important.

I always say the dogs in my area are all republicans as they do not recognise the Border. The witness mentioned that regular cross-Border meetings are held and that discussions on this matter are part of those. What is the engagement on this specific issue? How often is it raised as a formal item on the agenda and what, if any, outcome has there been from those meetings between the Department and the Executive or Northern Ireland Office, NIO, representatives?