Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the motion introduced by Deputy O'Sullivan. As outlined by a number of speakers, this motion is about the need to look after the animals both as pets and domestic animals in the farmyards across the country. Much of what is in the motion acknowledges there is legislation in place to deal with this but that it is not being given enough emphasis or resources. Nobody would argue with that. The fact that so few ISPCA inspectors are doing this kind of work is evidence that more resources need to be put into it. Many local authorities have vets that do some of this work. The experience most of us would have it that it varies in different counties according to the level of interest taken it and the level of emphasis put on it. That could be examined to see how much more that could be strengthened.

The Fianna Fáil amendment to the motion contains a great deal of what is in the motion using perhaps some softer language. I do not understand where it is going but I accept that is fine. The Fine Gael amendment to the motion pretty much says that everything is very good but in fairness to Deputy O'Sullivan and her colleagues who put forward this motion, their view and that of the vast majority of our people is that things are not perfect, that there are issues and that they need to be dealt with.

The third amendment, which was tabled by Solidarity-People Before Profit, includes a reference to travelling animals in circuses. We support this amendment. It is clear that whatever argument there was 100 years ago for bringing exotic animals around for interested people to see is long gone, and it probably never existed. However, nowadays there is every opportunity for people to see these animals in a more natural habitat, in a zoo or on their television screens rather than having to see them in cages in circuses. We will, therefore, support that amendment.

On cattle and farm cruelty, living in County Leitrim, which is predominantly an agricultural area, my experience was that over many years there were instances of cruelty in farmyards where a person may have had too much stock on the land and was not able to keep the animals. In fairness, it sometimes involved elderly farmers who kept the stock and did not sell their cattle and, as others said, they could have had mental health issues. In many cases, however, it was down to not having the correct set-up. In recent years, there have been many improvements in the housing of cattle, which have helped things greatly. I do not think, therefore, that it is as big an issue as it was in the past. That said, it still needs to be dealt with and appropriate measures need to be put in place.

When I was growing up at home, we always had a dog and he was always the first to welcome us home. It did not matter what state we came home in, be it good humour or bad, the dog was always in great humour. The tail was wagging and he was happy to see us. That is one of the connections humans have with the canine. We have that connection and everyone recognises and understands it. If that is abused by anyone under any circumstance, all of us are affected by it and worried about it.

The issue of horses was also raised. One of the symptoms of the Celtic tiger throughout the country was people who were doing very well for themselves getting a donkey, a pony or a horse for their children, even if they did not have 10 sq. yd. to put it on. When the bust came, we ended up with the country full of them and many were dumped along the roadside and neglected. There is a lesson to be learned there. If people are going to have animals, they need to have the appropriate means to take care of them. The neglect of horses, such as hoofs not being pared, which we see on Facebook and other social media is down to individuals who allow it to happen. They need to be dealt with using the full force of the law. One of the problems highlighted in the motion is that in many cases people's experience is that the full force of the law is not used. We need to ensure that additional resources are provided in that regard.

This concerns humans being responsible for what they have control over, and many people take control of animals. It may be in a farm setting and it may be their livelihood. If it is their livelihood, naturally enough it is in their best interests to ensure that the animals progress, thrive and do the best they possibly can. Those are the circumstances of the vast majority of farmers and those engaged in agriculture

The issue of exporting live cattle to various countries around the world has been raised. We see that going on. When we consider the kind of climate they have grown up in and flourished in here and the climate to which they are going, I accept that there is a point to be made about putting an animal on a boat and sending it to Egypt or some other hot climate and the need for strict regulations. Having said that, one of the reasons most people in the agriculture sector want to see a prosperous live export trade is the monopoly the factories have on the prices farmers get for their beef and cattle. Farmers see exporting their animals as a means to introduce a little scarcity and to increase the price. It is down to the economics of the situation. It is a problem that we need to be able to deal with, and it is a problem that is bigger than just the animal cruelty issue. It concerns other matters also. Everyone agrees that developing more markets for our beef, lamb and other meat products, processing the meat and creating jobs here is a much more appropriate way to deal with this than live exports. The problem is that the factories and the big processors have such a monopoly and stranglehold on the industry. If that was dealt with properly, it would assist greatly in dealing with the issue of live exports. I concur that there are strict regulations and that inspections are carried out. We have heard reports of abuse taking place, however, and those need to be addressed.

I commend the motion. Sinn Féin supports the motion as it stands but we also support the third amendment. We will not support the Government's amendment or that of Fianna Fáil. We accept that the Fianna Fáil amendment is similar, but if we support it, the third amendment which refers to circus animals would fall and that would not be appropriate. In that context, we will support the motion as amended by the third amendment. Great credit is due to Deputy O'Sullivan and those who put forward the motion. It is not trying to rub anyone's nose in it. It is trying to say that there is an issue to be dealt with and the way to deal with it is to put more resources in place to ensure that the health and welfare of animals is looked after efficiently and effectively.

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