Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Another so-called puppy farm was discovered last week in the midlands, where dogs were found in absolutely appalling conditions. Will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to introduce proper legislation to regulate the size of cages that dogs are kept in, and the minimum hygiene and environmental conditions that dog breeders should be required to provide? What we saw on our television screens in recent weeks was appalling. Sizeable fines, if not terms of imprisonment, should be included under the provisions of new legislation governing the keeping of dogs.