Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

This is not a case of going to the guards and hoping that everything will be all right. As recently as 27 May, senior officials from my Department met with Mr. Treacy to discuss his case and his concerns. There is no lax attitude towards animal welfare in my Department. Actually, it is full of animal lovers. In case anybody misunderstands the situation, we have tried to help Mr. Treacy, but we are limited under law in what we can do. When we put new legislation in place, we will publish it before it is introduced here and there will be an opportunity for consultation with people who have experience of animal welfare issues, such as Mr. Treacy, and we will try to take on board his concerns. I am not sure that meeting me or anyone else in the Department will progress the issue any further until we have a Bill on the table.

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