Mr. Shane O'Dwyer:

In regard to whether the legislation is robust enough, we believe the end user has to be held responsible. There must be proper policing and local authorities need to be funded. I agree with the committee about the urban problem. I welcome Deputy Naughten's question on whether we knew or if we were informed about this issue. We had concerns and Mr. Iceton has referred to the fact there was a little confusion about the whole thing at last years' sales. The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association has a close relationship with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and we highlighted the fact that it needed to be looked at. We did not know that the statutory instrument had been introduced. We and other witnesses present are members of the Farm Animals Welfare Advisory Council, FAWAC, and the equine liaison group within the Department. These are the issues that require consultation before anything is implemented. It is going in the right direction and I am hopeful that, given time and with computerisation, it will work.