Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Were we to be really honest, we would accept that we have very little choice regarding the tough things that must be done over the next few years. Moreover, I am afraid that it flows logically from this that much that will be said in these Houses will be superfluous. While Members will be engaged in much conversation that is necessary at one level, at another level it will be quite superfluous because the same decisions must be taken anyway. In the next couple of years we will face the test of whether we can get on with the business of improving the country, particularly in ways that do not involve major cost, and avoid getting caught in the headlights of the economic crisis.

Despite our angst about animal welfare legislation in the past year, it would be terrible if we were to lose our nerve regarding the need to improve animal welfare legislation. The primary animal welfare legislation in Ireland will be 100 years old next year. The Protection of Animals Act 1911 is still the principal Act, but it was clearly written for a different era and it has many failings. For example, it is difficult to believe, but true, that attending an animal fight is not unlawful. One can dock the tail of a pup up to one month old without using an anaesthetic. These provisions may not seem important in the context of the economic crisis, but they have to do with how we civilise ourselves and the culture we are seeking to achieve. I would hate if Ministers and politicians felt paralysed to deal with such issues for fear they would be accused of trivialising matters. These issues are important and need to be attended to.

We also need to be very careful that we push against any notion that it might be acceptable to ask questions about the role of immigrants in our society. We were very happy for people to come to the country and do the jobs we were not able to do. There is some evidence that there are still jobs we are not willing to do. This is evidenced by the presence of many fine immigrants, particularly in nursing and other professions. We need to be very careful to lead from the front in the national debate on this issue in order that we do not see the emergence of negative attitudes at a time when that could happen because of the economic challenges faced by many.