Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

To return to dogs, I know the Senator only mentioned the issue in passing, but he is right, particularly given recent events. There are incidents with dogs every year. The fact that we have an interdepartmental committee now is an advance. It does not solve the problem but it heads in that direction. We have a plan now and the Minister for rural affairs is bringing back proposals for a ban on certain breeds, and there are increased controls on breeds. However, we can have all the controls we want but if there is not responsible dog ownership, we will still have these incidents. If people do not keep control of their dogs, lock them up at night and know where they are, none of this will be effective. I again make that appeal. The State can do what it can to control these things but people who own dogs have to behave responsibly and keep control of them.