Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know Senator, but this is what I am here to do. I am here to make sure there is no discrimination towards members of my community. My brother has dogs. I have one brother who is a drug addict, and I have another brother who has loved dogs his whole life and looked after dogs, and he never tipped off a drug in his life – never. That kept him away from addition. For some people in all walks of life, dogs and animals are very important to have for their mental health. We see that in the World Health Organization as well. We have to look at that and support people who want to own dogs, and support people in halting sites. The dog welfare association in Dublin is very good at working with the Ballyfermot Travellers Action Project with the dogs on site and supporting the residents on site to have their dogs. My job in here is to make sure each Bill that goes through this House is, as I like to say, equality-proofed and does not just impact on one community. I do not want to be part of any more State discrimination that impacts much more on one community than another.