Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I do not want to over-egg this point. However, a really good example of lack of animal welfare legislation is seen in the practices of dog fighting, dog baiting and cock fighting and the underground culture that goes with them which is, unfortunately, quite active across the country. I hope the Bill will send out a strong signal to people who are participating in those activities that they are no longer acceptable, that we will make examples of people who are involved in them and that we will use this legislation to its maximum effect to stamp them out. Section 15 is all about that. It is easy to understand. We are going to great lengths to make it as easy as possible for gardaí to secure convictions against people who are organising this type of activity and even of those who merely turn up to watch. That should send out a strong signal to those people.