Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----and perhaps some of them are very posh dogs, but does the Minister accept that this is a major health issue, particularly for families with young children? I accept that it is up to the dog owners to be responsible. I have seen three types of dog owners. There are the responsible ones, the irresponsible ones and the ones who pretend to be responsible. The responsible owners pick up the litter, the irresponsible owners do not care about their neighbours or young children and the ones who pretend to be responsible pretend that they care and then let their dogs out at night, when everybody is gone to bed, to run around the green and destroy the greens in housing estates. When the young children come out in the morning, the place is littered with dog dirt.

It is a very important environmental issue, and I realise the Minister and the Department take it seriously. There is also a serious related health issue. It is important that we examine this issue and act on it by implementing the rules. The Minister must also ensure that resources are provided to Dublin City Council to let people such as the excellent independent Councillor Damian O'Farrell to get on with his job and do his best for his city.

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