Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Section 38 in its entirety relates to the functions of an authorised officer. The Minister is aware that we partially discussed the functions but also the appointment of authorised officers. In the course of the debate he referred to the fact he is of the view that he may appoint authorised officers from outside of the veterinary area, and that they would perhaps be people with expertise with domestic animals. At the time I quoted a briefing I received in which I referred to the Dogs Trust along with the United Kingdom-based RSPCA in connection with an example of what was seen as over-enthusiasm on the part of those officers. However, I put my hands up to say that I was not familiar with the operational procedures engaged in by the Dogs Trust in this country. I withdraw any comments I made in that context if there was an inference that the Dogs Trust in this country was not carrying out its duties in a humane and efficient manner. The Minister and his official are familiar with the Dogs Trust. Since then I have acquainted myself with its activities. It does an outstanding job. It is involved in the neutering of stray animals. It has a shelter where it takes in stray animals in Dublin. Those involved raise significant sums of money through voluntary subscriptions and Government aid of the order of approximately €10 million.

I assume the Minister has an organisation such as the Dogs Trust in mind in connection with the domestic dimension to the section. The perception from reading the Bill and following the debate is that it tends to focus almost exclusively on farm animals, but this section and much of the Bill applies just as much to domestic animals and their care and maintenance in an orderly and legal manner so as to ensure they are not abused, neglected or injured and that there is a responsibility on those who own domestic pets to come under the remit of the section. I presume the authorised officers the Minister will appoint will have the same powers to go into a house or to intervene if they happen to see any evidence of abuse of domestic animals on the public highways. I wish to clarify that the section applies as much to domestic animals as farm animals. Does the Minister have a view on the possible role of members of the Dogs Trust in the context of this section, as authorised officers in the context of potential injury to animals – I do not have specific evidence in that regard – and an obligation being placed on those who own domestic pets to look after them properly?