Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)

I very much welcome the respite for Palestinians in Gaza. However, I most definitely do not want to be associated with the congratulations to Donald Trump, who is a genocide enabler and a psychopath, in my view.

I also extend my sympathies to Senator Teresa Costello on the loss of her father. We are thinking of her.

Today, a group of TDs, Senators and MEPs visited Dublin city dog pound in Newcastle. I thank Dublin City Council's Richard Herlihy and Barbara Jackson, who work in the pound and, clearly, care for the dogs. The pound is really good and clean and, clearly, the dogs are, like I said, cared for. I understand this pound is one of the better ones compared with many across the country. Certainly, if all pounds were like this, it would be positive.

It is clear from our visit that there is a real stress and pressure on pounds and rescues. I know from speaking to rescues that they are being overwhelmed by the number of dogs coming into them.I did not realise it, but Sweden and Florida in the United States take many of Ireland’s abandoned and rescue dogs. Those working in rescue centres are at breaking point. The stress, anxiety and emotional distress for these people are intense. They should not have to put up with any of that; they are picking up the tab for Government’s failure to address the crisis in dog welfare here.

Some measures that could be taken by the Government, which are desperately needed, are a neutering and chip programme and the establishment of a single database. It is beyond me how, in 2025, we cannot have a single database for the registering of dogs. Such a database would improve the management and the welfare of dogs so much. It would make a huge difference, and it is very achievable. There also needs to be a national euthanasia policy. Given that some local authorities do not have a policy at all, it would make sense to have a national policy in relation to the euthanising of dogs.