Ms Brenda Fitzpatrick:

On the penalties and updating the law, the Deputy is right that prisons are overflowing at the moment with more spaces being created for people on remand. We have to change the culture among certain elements of society. There have to be deterrents, but there also has to be awareness and education. It is important. Monetary penalties should absolutely be imposed.

It would be really significant to do that and, as suggested, they could be deducted at source. It is also about having national communication across the country. There needs to be a live register of people who are convicted of these offences. It is absolutely critical that they are identified and that An Garda Síochána and other relevant bodies, such as registered charities or animal welfare sections in local councils, know who they are. It is absolutely essential that this is brought in. Money and funding need to be given to education across the board to raise awareness. How many of us have gone to our local shops and seen a dog tied up outside while somebody does their shopping inside? In all good faith they never imagine that their dog will be stolen, but that is exactly what happens. What is happening has to come out of the shadows and into the light.