Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

The person to whom we are referring is Mr. William Treacy. He has been in correspondence with my Department for some time, long before I came along. I have spoken to my officials in this regard and they have tried to be as comprehensive as they can in the context of what my Department can do but we are limited under the legislation available to us. My Department does not have legal responsibility for horses in racing stables and if there is a case to be made, it should be made to the Garda. We gave him that advice. Everybody, including Mr. Treacy, will have an opportunity to lobby and to express his or her opinion or concern when the animal welfare Bill is published. I look forward to hearing what he has to say. I am an approachable Minister, as I hope people have experienced, and I am willing to speak to him in the same way as anybody else who feels he or she has a significant contribution to make to the Bill.

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