Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

Members of both Houses and the public in general are aware that the legislation pertains to the welfare of dogs. That is the foundation of the Bill. It is not a question of something that arose lately. Members will be aware that the working group on the Bill sat initially in 2005. There has been a long lead-in to this legislation. It is not a knee-jerk reaction to the Lisbon treaty or anything else. It is a considered piece of legislation.