Mr. Finbarr Heslin:

Senator Boylan probably has more experience of the rogue nature of some of these ads over the years. There is definitely an easier way to advertise a dog. It does not confer any consumer protection on the potential purchaser. We have had that forever, since we were buying dogs out of the boot of a car or in a pub. That has always been the way. You ring up the mobile number a week later when the puppy is in a vet's with parvovirus and it is disconnected. That has always been the problem. What is hugely important about this regulation is that the microchipping of dogs regulation is a very good statute. However, many people have criticised its implementation and control. Sale and supply is by far the most important critical control point in pet ownership and this is the easy solution. If the chip is registered correctly and the details are certified by a vet on a database, which is already mandated under the previous regulations, it means every single ad is a potential policeman looking at the data and making sure people have done their job. It can make sure the vet certified it correctly, the pup was produced properly and that when somebody buys that pup, they are getting what they think they are getting. If there are any problems subsequent to that, people will at least be able to know who sold them the pup.