Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I do not know why the word "fear" has come into this debate. There is red tape and bureaucracy involved and these are voluntary clubs rather than commercial entities. There should be regulation for puppy farms which charge €400 per puppy and which are breeding unhealthy animals in dreadful situations.

I understand the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Dogs Trust have had several meetings with the Minister. While I support the broad thrust of the Bill, I cannot understand why the i's were not dotted and the t's were not crossed. The Bill goes so far but why did it not go the whole way? Why did the Minister not listen?

The definitions of "a commercial boarding kennel" and "an animal shelter" need to be clearly described in order that there is no confusion in the Bill. There is also the issue of dog chipping. The legislation fails to state at what age a puppy needs to be chipped or whether the puppy should be chipped before leaving the commercial centre in which it is bred, which stands to reason in order that the puppy cannot be lost in transit. It is a crucial point. There is no point saying we must chip dogs because if we do not do so properly, it is nonsense.

I cannot understand why guidelines are not published before the Bill is instigated. That is the whole basis of the Bill. As Senator de Búrca rightly said, we have a duty of care to animals. Why were the recommendations and extensive consultations with these animal rights bodies not followed through to the nth degree?