Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

Before the debate on this amendment is concluded, perhaps the Minster could provide some clarification. I agree an inspection regime is required, but we must consider enforcement. To move for a second to a different arena, there are about 220,000 private households in this country in which human beings are living and the Government has an inspection rate of 5.5% or 6% in this area, so I would not be too hopeful about the inspection regime for dogs.

The inspection regime needs to be clarified, not in terms of methodology and standards but in terms of who is carrying out the inspections. The regime has an entry point and an exit point. We are pressed for time here as a result of the Government's decision to guillotine this Bill, which is a missed opportunity, because substantive amendments have been tabled by the Opposition parties which would have added to the quality and robustness of the Bill and improved animal welfare. It is regrettable that we do not have time to go through these. Could the Minister clarify whether the inspection regime is a function that remains within local authorities or one that can be subcontracted out? That is a concern.

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