Dr. Eoin Ryan:

I cannot comment on previous discussions that may have decided which policy area went to which Department, but the Department of agriculture is the lead Department on dog welfare, specifically. The Department of Rural and Community Development covers dog breeding establishments and the control of dogs. That is one of the reasons we have regular discussions with colleagues there. Under the control of dogs working group, we have a regular whole-of-government approach whereby not just the Department of Rural and Community Development and our Department but others - dog wardens, local authorities, An Garda Síochána - meet to discuss these issues. It is through that regular interaction that we tackle that.