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

Ar dtús, aitheantas agus buíochas do gach éinne a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht anocht. I really appreciate all of the contributions made this evening. We cannot dispute the facts and evidence of animal neglect and cruelty because there are gaps in the legislation and because the legislation is not being fully implemented. It does not help that there are three Departments involved in animal issues. It does not help there is no consistency in the way councils apply the Dog Breeding Establishments Act and guidelines and the Animal Health and Welfare Act. For example, a breeder was found to have more than the specified number of dogs. Instead of the council prosecuting him, it just upped the number of dogs he could have. It does not help that there are repeated refusals by certain councils to release inspection records. What also does not help are the levels of secrecy and the difficulties that animal welfare supporters have in getting information, including through freedom of information requests, of inspections that have been carried out by local authorities, which, when they do get it, can be very heavily redacted. If there is nothing to hide, the information should be readily available. It does not help that there are authorities that choose to do nothing when cases of animal neglect and abuse are brought to their attention by individuals and groups, and then those authorities spend their time justifying inaction and they close ranks to protect their own.

We have many responsible hard-working vets, including my own in Fairview, but there appears to be no one to follow up on those vets who are not enforcing the animal welfare legislation. I must ask what the role is of the Veterinary Council of Ireland regarding the statutory obligations of its members. The VCI can undertake investigations if concerns are raised, and it could make the industry substantially better.

I had a look at the amendments. The Fianna Fáil amendment sets out the theory in legislation to ensure highest standards and a strict sanctioning regime for offenders. The Government amendment also mentions increased penalties but this is not happening, as Deputy Joan Collins has just pointed out. We are way behind other countries. The UK, for example, has increased sentences for people convicted of animal cruelty. In the USA, animal cruelty is now a class A felony, with the FBI tracking animal cruelty issues. The Fianna Fáil amendment states all live animals being traded from the State must have a veterinary health certificate when leaving Ireland but one should consider what happens to them en routeand on arrival at a destination. There are facts and evidence to prove this. Admittedly, welfare checks are carried out but the reports are not always available, as I said, and we do not see the follow-up. Reference was made to the €2.4 million. It is good to see the Government giving more to animal charities but, in 2017, some €64 million was given to the greyhound and horse industries. It is the animal welfare charities that have to deal with the fallout of unwanted dogs and horses.

The Minister might clarify whether the Cavan puppy farmer who kept whelping bitches and unborn pups in the tiny wooden crates that are illegal under the guidelines is on the working group reviewing the dog breeding establishment guidelines. He might also ask Cavan County Council who was representing it on the working group because it refuses to disclose that information. Could he clarify whether the self-confessed biggest puppy farmer in Europe is still operating even though a closure order was sought because of the appalling conditions in which he was keeping the animals? I understand he is still operating with no planning permission but with the full knowledge of Offaly County Council, which will not issue enforcement proceedings.

If a person is neglected, abused or badly treated, he or she has a voice, but animals do not. Only for the people in the Visitors Gallery and others who cannot be here tonight, and others like them, Ireland's reputation on animal welfare would be much worse. I thank them for their care, passion and commitment to exposing and eliminating animal neglect and cruelty.

The one positive tonight is that we all agree cruelty to animals is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I take that positive from tonight. It is good to hear Members talk about their love for animals but we cannot just rest there, with words and what is on paper, because there are too many documented cases of animal neglect and outright cruelty. If we have so much in common, we most certainly can make a difference on this matter.

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