Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I have a brief question. Throughout the legislation emphasis has been placed on agricultural animals. I am not saying it does so exclusively but the main thrust of the legislation is about agricultural animals. As the Minister is aware, certain sections relate to who is legally entitled to buy an animal, under or over a particular age, and there are provisions to ensure that the animals are properly maintained. In the UK there is specific legislation for domestic pets. It is my understanding, having talked to the Minister's officials, that domestic pets are covered by nearly all of this legislation. A reference made to "protected animals" does not mean agricultural animals exclusively. It also means others, particularly domestic pets. I welcome the Minister's clarity in this regard.

The only reason that I raise the issue is that in the UK, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, pet owners are now legally obliged to care for their pet properly - and most owners do so - by providing five basic needs. They are as follows: somewhere suitable to live; a proper diet, including fresh water; the ability to express normal behaviour; for any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals; and protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury. Can the Minister assure us that the Bill will address those five basic needs even though they are not overtly stated? Is he satisfied that they are? Can he assure us that the proposed legislation covers domestic pets and the responsibilities placed on their owners?

In this Bill there is a great deal of talk about cruelty to farm animals that might arise but some private citizens are far more cruel to their pets, even domestic pets. Some of the siblings of those animals have got out of control in certain parts of the country. Some people carry out the most obscene and obnoxious cruelty on dogs and cats. The Minister or any of us in this House have nothing to fear from the farming organisation or industry when it comes to the protection and proper maintenance of animals. They care for animals because they are closer to the land and understand nature. I cannot remember any major examples of cruelty among the farming community. There have been cases of cruelty by people who have purchased horses. There is the odd exception to the rule. Perhaps there have been extraneous reasons that animals have not been properly catered for but those are the exception rather than the rule. That is why I raised the issue of placing obligations on domestic pet owners. Is the Minister satisfied that they are covered by the legislation?