Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

I again thank the Senator. Sometimes you would not realise who you will be talking to personally about a thing like this. I am a big follower of dogs, in particular. I really like dogs and I like meeting dogs. I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue.

I am replying on behalf of the Minister, Deputy James Browne, as I mentioned. It is important for the views of all stakeholders to be considered. While the distress that pet owners find themselves in when searching for appropriate accommodation for themselves and their pets in both private and social housing settings is understood, the needs and concerns of landlords and other tenants must also be considered. As there already exists strong legislation to protect tenants and property owners, it would not be appropriate for the Minister to direct individual property owners as to what a tenancy policy should be. I suggest open and productive dialogue between the property owners, the tenants and their representative associations, regardless of the tenure type, on this issue. I believe that a reasonable and fair compromise can be found that will support pet ownership and meet the needs of other stakeholders, neighbours and landlords.

We have to work with individual cases in individual situations. The majority of people love animals - they love their pets. Of course, we have to weigh that against the whole issue that it is hard for a person to say, in the current climate, that they cannot take an available house because they cannot take their pet. People would be thinking the person was negligent towards themselves and their family if they were more worried about the pet. Only people who do not have a fondness for animals might not understand it, but other people would.

I again thank the Senator for raising this very important issue.