Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the debate. I thank the Deputies for bringing forward the Bill and for all their contributions. As I said earlier, the proposals in this private Members' Bill are consistent with my Department's overall objective to promote responsible dog breeding in Ireland. Deputy Donnelly mentioned crossbreeding, which is just awful. Mixing a small dog like a Pomeranian with a big dog really is just terrible.

I welcome the broad thrust of the proposals, particularly around enhanced enforcement by local authorities and ensuring dogs are kept in appropriate conditions. I am also supportive of increasing the maximum fines for summary convictions from €5,000 to €10,000. Local authorities are responsible for all operational matters with regard to dog breeding establishments, including the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments and, where there is a serious and immediate threat to public health or animal health and welfare, the closure of such establishments. It is clear that we need to work closely with the local authorities in developing any legislation that affects their work and consider how best we can support them in that regard.

I mentioned the ongoing work and the consultation that led to revised guidelines for the operation of dog breeding establishments. There is more work planned on the legislation, which I hope to bring forward early in the new year. The guidelines for dog breeding establishments are important. They had a focus on improving the conditions for dogs and pups and they have made a difference. We now need to consider putting some of the changes we made to the guidelines on a stronger footing in law. The changes we made place a strong emphasis on the welfare and socialisation of dogs and pups, which is important. Dog ownership is a serious matter and carries serious responsibility. A happy, healthy pup is a good start on the dog ownership journey.

My Department is working to encourage responsible dog ownership. As a result of the guidelines and the relationship between my Department, local authority veterinarians and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, dogs bred in dog breeding establishments are now more likely to receive individual attention and be socialised properly before going to their homes. I accept that we can do more, and we will do more. That is not to take away from the responsible dog breeding establishments, which we know exist.

This work is now all the more important as dog ownership in Ireland is on the increase. As I said earlier, dogs make wonderful companions and are an addition to any home. I want to make sure that the experience of dog ownership is as good as it can be by strengthening the legislation on responsible breeding in order that more people can fully experience the joy of dog ownership.

I again thank the Deputies. I welcome the proposals in the Bill, which are consistent with my overall objectives to promote responsible dog breeding in Ireland.

As the other Deputies have said, we are coming close to Christmas and it always seems like a good idea to give somebody a dog, but we must remember that there are responsibilities with that and if a dog is given as a gift it is a long-term commitment to another member of the house. They have to be looked after to ensure that they are being taken care of. I thank the Deputies for bringing this Bill forward and I thank everybody for their contribution.

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