Ms Martina Kenny:

Yes. Five or six years ago, we went to Amsterdam where there is an animal crime unit that has worked really well. France and Germany also have them now. We got to speak with the unit in Holland. It only had four officers, but they were able to tell other officers around the country what to do and how to do it. That is exactly what we need. We have gardaí who help all the time and we put them in touch with other gardaí who would not have a clue how to do an animal prosecution. All we are asking for is a pilot scheme of three gardaí who know the animal legislation and want prosecutions to start this off. It would save a lot of time and energy. It would definitely be great to have a lot more prosecutions because that is what makes people sit up and listen. They realise they will be prosecuted if they do this.