Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

All of our thoughts are with Alejandro and his family and friends following the horrific ordeal for that young child. It is quite shocking and all of us are very disturbed by what has transpired here. There is also a degree of anger. I do not understand why there is a need to own such dangerous breeds. I think that we should go back to the drawing board. I do not have the full panoply of legislation in front of me but we do need to go back to the drawing board. What has happened is one child too many. We all have pets but there is no need for this and it needs to be seriously examined. I will revert to the Minister to examine whatever cross-departmental approach we should take. The first thing to do is make sure there is enforcement. The second issue is the whole area of what is driving this and why there is a necessity for it.

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