Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I raised this issue last week but as I was sick, I could not attend the House to discuss it. I feel very strongly about the difference between making money from dog breeding in puppy farms — to use that awful phrase — and breeding dogs for hunting. From my experience in the midlands, those who breed dogs for hunting care for them and breed them only to replace dogs when they pass away or are no longer fit. We have a pet shop in Athlone and I am convinced the dogs bred and cared for by the hunting fraternity are cared for better than any category of dog. The Minister should honour the commitment he made and that made by Deputy Dick Roche to the hunting fraternity. They are not in the business of making money; rather they are in the business of replenishing their stocks for hunting.