Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will take the questions in order. In reply to Deputy Paul Murphy, I express the Government's solidarity with the people of Iran, who are struggling to see their democracy restored. They have not experienced democracy since the Shah was reinstated and Mohammad Mosaddegh taken down in the 1950s. They are demanding basic and equal rights for women and, in some cases, ethnic minorities and people from LGBT backgrounds. We are in full solidarity with the Iranian people in their efforts to change their country for the better. We condemn the crackdown. We also believe that the executions are absolutely wrong and should stop.

On Deputy Verona Murphy's question, I express my horror and sadness about what happened to Alejandro in Enniscorthy. I have seen the pictures of this young boy. It is horrible to think about what has happened to this beautiful young boy. I hope he makes a recovery. His injuries will be life-changing but it is to be hoped he will recover as much as is possible, given the injuries he has endured. A Garda investigation is under way, which is very important. I will not comment on that. There will be a review of our laws around dangerous dogs and dangerous breeds, which is necessary. The point the Deputy made on dog wardens is very valid. We can have any laws and regulations we like but if we do not have people to enforce them, they are not worth anything. We will certainly make the issue of the proper resourcing of local authorities around dog wardens part of the review as well.

In response to Deputy Wynne, I am a huge supporter of the Coast Guard. I had the honour to work with its members for a number of years when I was Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. There are some Commission on the Defence Forces proposals to bring the Coast Guard together with the Defence Forces, which we are examining at present. I do not want to give the Deputy a definite "Yes" or "No" answer to her question, but I heard what she had to say. I will certainly make the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Defence aware that it was raised in the Chamber. They may come back to the Deputy directly.

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