Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I have written to the gentleman concerned. I know the case the Deputy is talking about. He needs to go to the Garda, which has legal responsibility in that regard. I have outlined that to him in some detail in written correspondence and, to be fair, I think the previous Minister probably did so too.

I accept that the legislation in place to deal with animal cruelty, codes of practice or the protection of animals is antiquated. It dates back to the 1911. We live in an entirely different world now. We are trying to modernise that legislation in a relatively large piece of work. It has taken quite some time to draft the Animal Health and Welfare Bill. I think it is good legislation and I would like to get feedback from the Deputy and anybody else who wishes to contribute to it. We might not agree on everything-----

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