Mr. Eoin Ryan:

With regard to the Deputy's point on the importance of dog control and welfare, society is increasingly paying more attention to it. We certainly see that ourselves but even outside whoever is here tonight, society is more and more aware of and concerned for dog welfare. That is a good thing. Certainly, it helps support some of the initiatives that probably do need to be taken to improve dog welfare. There is more and more awareness of the needs of dogs whether it is socialisation or other things they need. Even around the responsibility of taking on a dog, there is more and more awareness now that this is a serious thing to take on and consider. That is to be welcomed. We see that right across our engagement with stakeholders and with society.

With regard to the issue the Deputy raised about the possible revision of interdepartmental arrangements or departmental responsibilities, that decision will have to be taken at a political level. Discussions are ongoing but no decisions have been taken. The working group on dog control will be looking at all these issues related to dog control, and dog welfare is part of that. As we said, it is related on paper. They can be separated. In reality, on the street and in real life in a field, dog welfare and dog control are interrelated. That is one of the reasons that the working group involves a number of different groups across Departments. As the Deputy pointed out, it does not fall neatly into one category or another. It is important to address all of these together. That is generally the consensus. When we listen to a lot of stakeholders, they make these points that while we can divide policy areas up quite neatly for the purposes of discussions like this but when we get out there, they are very interrelated. That is why we need this co-ordinated and coherent approach and that is what we are hoping to deliver.