Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 18:

In page 25, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following:“(i) safeguarding animals exposed to hazards in testing and research laboratories.”.

I have previously tabled questions to the Minister on this issue, which I acknowledge does not come only within the remit of his Department. There is always the danger, where several Departments are involved, of issues slipping through the cracks. We are concerned about the needless and unnecessary suffering of animals. While I acknowledge that there are currently regulations in this regard, sometimes regulations are not strong enough. This amendment seeks to ensure that animals are safeguarded when exposed to hazards in testing and research laboratories. We have discussed this issue on a number of occasions with the Minister.

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