Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

If someone wants to make representations to me on the issue, I will consider it in the context of regulations, but I would need to be convinced that we should be docking dogs' tails to make them look like nicer show animals. I am being patronising. There are many show breeders and I have no difficulty with that activity. I am supportive of it. However, many of the people concerned are animal lovers and most people who keep dogs will not dock animals' tails unnecessarily. The provision should apply to show animals, as it does to hunting animals.