Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael)

Senator Mooney touched on section 25(4), which states: "A person who has in his or her possession or under his or her control an animal of a particular class or description shall have due regard to a code of practice... that applies in relation to an animal of that class or description." If a person has an animal in possession or control, is that automatically a protected animal? If a person is in control or possession of an animal, does the Animal Health and Welfare Bill automatically apply to it? Hunting is within the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, although it is part of the Minister's Department.