Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I have to emphasise the importance of having an appeals process and that it is independent. When the ban was brought in, the Government had to bring an independent expert from England, Ms Debbie Connolly, because there is no expertise here in terms of identifying what an XL Bully is. Debbie Connolly trained some of the dog wardens. Some dog wardens did not go to the training, while some of those who did go to training did not attend the second day of training. It is important that there is a proper system and expertise in identifying what an XL Bully is.

We have to ensure that the wardens are not the arbiters of the identification of an XL Bully. I welcome the fact that there is an appeals process but it is important to note that the Government had to be brought to court by these six dog welfare groups. If that had not been done, an appeals process would not have been introduced. It is extremely unfair. There is a great deal of dog welfare legislation, almost none of which is enforced. We are the puppy farm capital of the world. This Government has to do better. It should not be as populist as the previous Government. I ask the Government to take a dog-welfare-centred approach to animal welfare.