Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will bring the points raised by the Senator directly back to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue. The Commencement matter tabled by the Senator referred to capacity in the shelters and contingency plans. The broad approach the Government takes feeds into that. The programme for Government includes a commitment to promote responsible pet ownership. The Senator's point in respect of welfare is currently being advanced by the Department on various aspects relating to ownership. The Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-25: Working Together for Animal Welfare reflects the programme for Government commitment on responsible pet ownership and includes a commitment to establish an advisory council on companion animal welfare. I know the Senator is making a point in respect of an immediate issue, and I will bring that back, but it is important to recognise the broader points in the context of welfare because significant progress has been made in recent years. That can be seen from all the key statistics and we should acknowledge that. We will work with animal welfare groups and State agencies to address any issues there may be in the short term but we are heading in the right direction in the longer term and we will double down on that work in future.