Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I really welcome the opportunity to have this debate this morning. It is a topic that unites all of us in many ways. Anyone who has a dog will know that it kind of changes you afterwards in terms of how you see the world. I thank the Deputy Leader, in particular, because I know she gave the commitment that we would have a further hearing with regard to this Bill. I acknowledge that in the House today. I am guessing we will run out of time today but I am sure we will get another opportunity to move the Bill forward as well. I acknowledge the cross-party co-operation, which is something I think we are very good at here in the Seanad. That was alluded to last week when the Taoiseach was in the Chamber and I would thoroughly agree with that.

The timing for this Bill is quite good too because if Senators go into the supermarkets today, they will see that all the Christmas stuff is already out. Christmas is a time when, all too often, people decide to get pets without thoroughly thinking about it. Where I lived in County Clare, before I moved across the border back to Limerick, unfortunately on St. Stephen's Day or a few days later young pups were regularly left or dumped at the top of our estate. We all know it happens after every Christmas. As Senator Paul Daly rightly said, much of it is about education and explaining to people that there is a lot involved in taking care of dogs and giving them the care and attention they need and deserve. I am taken by the Senator's suggestion that some kind of preparation or education initiative should be required before we acquire a dog. The figures Senator Boylan highlighted earlier are quite shocking in terms of a doubling of the number of dogs going into pounds. We all know the context in terms of Covid-19 and so forth but that is why it is incumbent on us to take action on this issue.

It is significant that there has been such widespread support for Senator Boylan's Bill. I acknowledge her work in this regard. As Senator Paul Daly and others said, it is something about which she is incredibly passionate. However, I think all of us share that passion in terms of making sure our dogs and pups are well looked after and well kept. It is important to acknowledge that good work has been done in terms of legislation in recent years. While we are proposing legislative changes, I am not seeking to disparage the work of anybody or throw out the good work already done. Rather, this seeks to tighten up some lacunae and gaps that have emerged over the years that could not have been foreseen at its inception.

Before I go on to talk about the report of the working group on the control of dogs for a couple of minutes, I want to mention my family as a perfect example. We inherited a dog that otherwise would have faced life in a pound. We actually lost that dog this week. She had eight wonderful years with us and became an integral part of our family. I will be honest; at the time, I was a little sceptical about this. It just showed me how much dogs give back and the important role they play, particularly in terms of children but also to families and in uniting people and generally playing a key role.

The one message we should all embrace, and I think we do, is, "Adopt, don't shop". When we have that many dogs in pounds - the figure is more than 3,200 at the moment - if families are giving careful thought and still believe they want to get a dog at Christmas, there is no need to go out and buy one. There are wonderful dogs already available in our pounds desperately needing homes and a secure and loving future for themselves. If we can bring that message across today, that would be important.

I want to highlight the report of the working group on the control of dogs. I will not hog all the time because I know others want to come in. I welcome that report, which is very significant. I would like to briefly discuss some of its contents, especially because it commented so directly on provisions in the legislation we are debating this morning. The working group is made up of officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Rural and Community Development; representatives of the County and City Management Association, including representatives of local authority dog wardens and veterinary inspectors; and representatives of An Garda Síochána. Needless to say, there was a significant amount of experience in the room. Although the working group stopped short of endorsing the Sinn Féin Bill outright, it is particularly welcome that it went on to reflect favourably on the provisions of this Bill. The group met seven times before publishing its report. The working group met stakeholders, including the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, on the subject of sheep worrying. It also incorporated the good work of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine report, Issues Impacting Dog Welfare in Ireland. I acknowledge the work of all the members of the committee including, of course, Senators Paul Daly and Boylan. Their recommendations and suggestions informed the discussions of the working group. Again, this is a serious report with input from multiple stakeholders so it should be treated accordingly.

Recommendation 4(b) of the working group report relates to the Control of Dogs Act. It is welcome that the working group recommended that the Government improve the legislation underpinning dog control. As part of the recommendation, the working group sought for the Government to specifically "Examine the proposal for dog licences to be linked to the relevant dog microchip number", a proposal that is contained in Senator Boylan's Bill.This provision would tighten the position in the context of proof of ownership. Currently, there is a space on the dog licence form to enter a microchip number but this legislation would make it mandatory. The loophole can be exploited and could conceivably be used by somebody to claim a dog that was not theirs to claim. I would be grateful if the Minister could clarify, if he gets the opportunity, whether he agrees with this proposal from Senator Boylan and from the Government's working group.

I will mention one other recommendation. I have more to say but I may leave it and allow others to come in. The working group also made recommendations around improving traceability through the microchip legislation. Its report calls on the Government to provide for the seizure and disposal of dogs that are not microchipped and registered in accordance with the regulations by authorised officers. This was a key part of the legislation because, as Senator Boylan has heard from groups on the front line of the fight against puppy smuggling, such as the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there are loopholes that are being exploited. By tightening up the traceability of dogs, we can help ensure more responsible dog ownership. There are more recommendations to go through but I will pause at this point to allow others to come in.