Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. As someone who was born and bred in rural Ireland, I grew up in an environment in which dogs and cats were an essential part of every farm, whether for herding cattle or sheep, hunting or guarding property. I am often struck by this thought because as I now live in Dublin, one of the joys of returning home, apart from meeting the folks, is the opportunity to renew the encounters with family pets. I remember an advertisement on television a few years ago in which the fellow returned home and wanted to know where the cat was. That probably tells a story to which many can relate.

Dogs and cats are different. Somebody once said cats did not have owners; they had staff. I think it was P. G. Wodehouse who, when describing the insufferable snootiness of cats on occasion, said it had to do with the fact that in ancient Egypt they were worshipped as gods and that they continued to expect such treatment. Dogs are a different proposition. It is fair to say most people's feelings about dogs, although not everyone is an animal lover, go very deep. Going back in our history, we find instances where the peculiar relationship between dogs and humans was celebrated. There is a very famous Welsh folk tale about the loyal hound of Prince Llewelyn who died around 1240. One day the prince went hunting but his loyal hound, Gelert, did not answer the call. When the prince returned, he found blood on Gelert's mouth. Assuming it had attacked his child in anger, he killed the hound. Later he learned that Gelert had protected the royal child from the depredations of a wolf. To make amends, he erected a memorial in the hound's honour. As a child, I remember being very moved by that tale.

There are other tales about dogs whose faithfulness to their human masters has outlived their masters. They continued to mourn after they had died. There is something very special about the relationship between dogs, in particular, and human beings which we celebrate in art and literature. However, it is fair to say that for many years in Ireland we have not done well in the way we have treated dogs and in regard to animal welfare generally. For example, I recall being horrified at the description in Peig of the practice of hanging dogs who had misbehaved. On occasion we see children being brought up with a love of and a respect for animals. There is nothing nicer than seing the joy of young children when a new pet is introduced into the family home. It is also uplifting to think of the role dogs play, for example, in hospices and nursing homes. Sometimes people who are largely beyond the reach of medical assistance can mount some response when a pet is brought around a ward and they pet the animal. We might call animals dumb because they do not enjoy the same rights as human beings. Nonetheless, there is something special about the role they play in the enhancement of human flourishing and contributing to the happiness of human beings. That is why we should take very seriously legislation oriented towards their welfare and dignity.

I am not comfortable with the concept of animal rights. Different philosophical and religious traditions have different things to say on the matter. I find attractive what is in the most recent catechism of the Catholic Church, for example. It stresses the importance of treating animals well but also states we should not lavish on them excessive care which should properly be reserved for human beings. There is something obscene, for example, about the amount of money spent on pampering animals in other parts of the world and lavishing them with luxuries, while human beings suffer. That displays a lack of proportion. However, there is no lack of proportion about what is contained in this legislation. Dogs were and are valued in rural Ireland. As I said, they have often been considered to be extra members of the family and some would say they have considered themselves as such.

I am delighted that the Government has finally moved to regulate the practice of puppy farming. It is not before time. Internationally, Ireland's reputation has suffered greatly owing to the existence of this trade because we have the reputation of being the puppy farm capital of Europe. As one UK charity noted, this is a haven for puppy farms because up to now not one single piece of legislation was in place to control them or protect the welfare of dogs. The Control of Dogs Act 1986 is of relevance to pet owners but not to commercial operations. Their legitimacy is a grey area. There is no statutory limitation on for how long or how many times dogs may be used for breeding. Dogs can be kept in any enclosure. There is no law stipulating they must have outdoor runs or, in the case of indoor breeds, that they be kept indoors. One could say that in the European Union chickens have more protections and livestock farmers have more legal responsibilities. Last year an estimated 30,000 dogs were exported to the United Kingdom alone. It is estimated that there are 600 breeders, with some farms having up to 500 breeding bitches and selling puppies for between €300 and €1,500.

I am very doubtful that even so-called responsible dog breeders should be allowed to run intensive dog breeding farms. In a recent documentary on the issue a dog breeder stated - I am paraphrasing what the person concerned said - a bitch bred in a pen had never known anything else and, in fact, would be afraid to leave the pen once he opened the gate. Anyone with any experience of dogs will know they enjoy nothing more than a run in the open countryside. I am always glad to see my neighbour being brought for a walk by his three dogs, something which happens daily. In towns it is a shame that a dog is kept on its own. It seems it is appropriate to have at least two dogs in any one urban premises in order that the dogs have company while their master is away. Dogs are highly intelligent and intensely social animals. They evolved from wolves which hunted in small family packs. It is these qualities which have allowed us to tame dogs and make them useful workers and well loved pets.

It is no excuse claiming puppy farming is a big and valuable export business. When Dublin was first founded - I hope people do not think the comparison is obscene; I would not push it too much - it was well known as a major centre for the slave trade. I am sure that was a valuable export industry. I am not making an inappropriate comparison; the mere fact that something has economic or commercial potential does not mean we should turn a blind eye to abuses. That is why the Bill is before us today.

If I had my way, I would ban intensive dog breeding as something which is plainly unnatural and inhumane. That is not to say I am not fully supportive of alternative farm enterprises, rather I support breeders who follow best practice. I see nothing wrong with a farmer who breeds dogs for his or her own use and who makes some money on the side from the sale of pups or a person who has a love of a certain breed who breeds high quality animals in a humane fashion. I have no problem with various exemptions where needed to facilitate responsible individuals engaged in responsible practices, but my general sense is that we should not be afraid of anything which seeks to regulate this practice because we have a past which, as far as animal welfare is concerned, is not honourable. We should expect people to see regulation or rights of inspection in this area as beings in the best interests of the community. We should remember when we abuse or inflict unnecessary cruelty on animals, we should not just bear the impact on animals in mind but also the impact on human beings when we see fit to mistreat creation in this fashion.

I welcome the Bill, in so far as it will regulate the industry. while I regret it will not regulate it out of existence, at least it will impose some standards on the sector and do something to restore Ireland's tarnished reputation among those who love animals.

Mar achoimre ar an méid atá ráite agam, ba bhreá liom a rá go bhfáiltím roimh an mBille seo. Tacaím leis an chuid is mó de. Bhí am i stair na hÉireann nuair nár chaitheamar le hainmhithe sa chaoi cheart. Measaim go bhfuil an-dul chun cinn déanta againn. Sa lá atá inniu ann, is breá an rud é an ghrá atá ag daoine, go háirithe páistí, d'ainmhithe agus do pheataí a fheiscint. Caithfimid cur leis an gcultúr sin. Tabharfaidh mé tacaíocht d'aon chóras ina bhfuil stiúriú agus caighdeán á chur chun cinn. Is maith an rud é go bhfuilimid ag tabhairt cumhachtaí dos na húdaráis caoi chun breathnú orthu siúd a bhfuil ainmhithe - madraí, sa chás seo - á thógáil acu. Caithfimid a chinntiú go bhfuil ard-chaighdeán á chur i bhfeidhm sa chomhthéacs seo. Muna bhfuil daoine áirithe ag feidhmiú leis an ard-caighdeán sin, de réir na rialacha, ba chóir go mbeadh pionós géar á ngearradh orthu.