Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State has been very proactive in bringing forward Bills of this nature, including some relating to pets. I reiterate what he said about Alejandro Miszan. I brought this up with the Tánaiste this morning during Questions on Policy or Legislation. He said there is a review under way as to how we resource our dog wardens. Clearly, 1.6 whole-time equivalents in Wexford, servicing 27,000 homes, is not effective. We can have all the laws we like but if we are not able to resource them into effectiveness and have them implemented, it is pointless. I thank the Minister of State for that.

I would also like to pay sympathies to the family of Private Seán Rooney. What has happened is despicable. He lost his life in service on behalf of us in this country. It is devastating for the family. It is a particularly hard time when something like that happens. I wish them well. They will be in my thoughts and prayers, alongside his colleague from Cork who is seriously injured. I wish him a speedy recovery.

I thank everybody in the House. It has been a very busy and tough year. I thank the staff and all my colleagues, who have been more than courteous at all times. I wish the staff in the Departments as well as the staff in the House, those who feed us and those who serve us, as they say, a very happy Christmas.

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