Seanad debates

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Adjournment Matters

Animal Welfare

6:05 pm

Photo of Martin ConwayMartin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. Regeneration is great and has certainly helped communities. The most recent glowing example of regeneration's potential is in the Ballymun area of Dublin. The residents of Ballymun will benefit and are benefiting enormously from it. It is said that one cannot make an omelette without breaking some eggs, but sometimes there are eggs within the community that are too precious to be broken. One is a community group that has been operating in the Ballymun area for over 30 years, Dogs Aid. Not alone has it a proud tradition of caring for and looking after dogs but it also provides a very valuable resource to low-paid families and provides support to their pets, sometimes free of charge but in the majority of instances for a very low cost.

As part of regeneration in Ballymun, an area called Balbutcher Lane has effectively ceased to exist. That is where Dogs Aid had its centre and clinic; it is where it looked after the dogs. Unfortunately, the organisation is now homeless and has been operating from the back of a van with a battery-operated generator for the past three weeks. I am sure the Minister can appreciate that, during the recent inclement weather, that has not been satisfactorily from the perspective of the volunteers, animals or those who bring their animals.

Ballymun Garda station was closed as part of the Government's policy of streamlining Garda stations and channelling resources in a more efficient way. I understand the OPW is in charge of the building. It would be an ideal building in which to house Dogs Aid, even on a temporary basis.

The Minister needs to consider what benefits the community and look at organisations that have proven themselves and lasted the test of time as being ones that are there for the genuine betterment of the community.

As was stated in the previous Adjournment matter, animals are precious but they also bring with them responsibilities. The responsibility for animal welfare does not only reside with the individuals who own them. As a State, we have a responsibility to ensure that we provide the structure where animals can be treated properly.

I hope that what is a sensible solution to a problem that has presented itself as a result of progress is something that the Minister's colleagues in the OPW will take on board and that we will see Dogs Aid in Ballymun getting a temporary home in the disused Garda station.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.