Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply and for providing the number of prosecutions and dog wardens. I have just done the maths using the figures for the number of dog licences issued in 2021, that being 192,348 with a further 75,832 issued online. We know not everybody is compliant in getting a dog licence, but each of the 71 dog wardens, including those working part time, would be responsible for almost 4,000 dogs. I do not think anybody, whether he or she works full time or part time, could be responsible for making sure that number of dogs and their owners are complying with the law.

In addition, we need to join the dots on the issue of canine welfare. Ireland is the puppy-farm capital of Europe. The dogs coming out of puppy farms are not properly socialised and are presenting with behavioural issues, therefore, we must tackle this in addition to the Control of Dogs Act.

I ask the Minister of State to bring the issue of unregulated fertility clinics, which are prevalent in use among bulldog breeders, to the attention of the Minister. A huge amount of money is being made with many bulldogs being bred using those unregulated fertility clinics.