Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was actually a kitten rather than a puppy in order to get my four-year-old to present some flowers to His Holiness the Pope when he got off the plane. She got stage fright and I had to bribe her with a kitten. Approximately 40 animal shelters offered me kittens, one of which I took and is now called Spirit or the Holy Spirit in my house.

I have considerable sympathy for this issue. Both dogs in my house are rescue dogs. One of them, which I got through the DSPCA, was taken from the boot of a car in Dublin Port by the Garda. I am very familiar with this issue. I was the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine when we introduced the animal welfare legislation, which is substantial legislation. I will speak to the Minister on the issue. I believe he is very much of the same opinion as I am.

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