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Ireland is a nation of animal lovers, but I believe that most in the Irish public assume that there are regulations of puppy farms to protect these pups and dogs. It really could not be further from the truth. What are the rules at the moment? There … they have never had before. I want to mention Wicklow animal rescue, where I got my gorgeous dog Dolly, and Mollie Moo's Pet Farm where I got Poppy recently, A Dog's Life and Pauline's Rescue, which I have also rescued dogs through. This is where

leave the region, and in many cases their country, to study veterinary medicine. There is a large shortage of qualified vets for farm animals and pets and a high demand for existing veterinary courses. As a Government, we need to prioritise the acceleration of accreditation by the Veterinary

remove that from ourselves. The length and breath of this country, one will find people whose pets are part of their family. The idea that Ireland remains the puppy farm capital of Europe is unconscionable to that little being that sits at our feet and shares our food … what we all know. Ireland cannot continue with these puppy farms. It cannot continue to have a greyhound industry, which, while a separate issue, is also seeing dogs destroyed constantly. We have to do better because these pets are little friends at home. We cannot continue to have

However, the number of farm businesses supported has collapsed and this has to be taken on board. It has collapsed from 2,112 farm businesses to 1,199 and the total funding for all agriculture-focused Skillnet networks has fallen from €2.94 million to €2.61 million. That … employers and workers who pay into it. It should not be a slush fund for pet projects. I call on the Minister to immediately increase core funding to Farm Business Skillnet and other rural Skillnet programmes in addition to the other funding that I mentioned was needed

Deputy Coppinger has already pointed out that during the debate on the puppy farming Bill last week, there was real passion among Deputies. Deputies spoke with real meaning about what their dogs and their pets meant to them. Today, we have another opportunity to make real change

said that fox hunters do far more destruction to farming land and the countryside. A zoologist in Wicklow, who is also from a farming background, said that hunting with hounds is one of the least effective methods of population control. Farmers have told me that their livestock have … also mentioned the harm to horses, cattle and sheep that no one talks about, and attacks on domestic animals, such as household pets, which have happened. Hunts, in fact, tell you to lock up your pets. I do not know who the Minister of State listens to when

native Irish foxes. Foxes are not a significant threat to vulnerable livestock and free-range poultry. Domestic dogs - our family pets that were all named during last week's debate - and the hounds used in live hunts are a much bigger threat. Foxes play a really positive role … talked about pest control and the fox is a natural pest controller of rats, mice and rabbit populations, and an ally to arable farming. In urban and rural areas, they are the animal kingdom's equivalent to the Tidy Towns, eating dead and decaying birds and roadkill. Urban

environmental, biodiversity and animal health and welfare benefits that they deliver in spades. It is also a mechanism that helps many farms stay viable as it somewhat offsets the entirely unfair prices, which are below the cost of production, they receive for their produce. It is a crucial … concern that the CAP has been viewed by successive European Commissions as a soft touch and something to be raided to fund the pet project of the day. This has led to decreasing funds for Irish farmers in real terms at the very time Ireland became

prevent dogs attacking people, which can lead to severe injuries, and even fatalities, by holding dog owners accountable for the behaviour of their pets. It would also promote responsible dog ownership. All-inclusive dog control legislation will encourage responsible ownership practices, such as training, socialisation and the proper … farmers, but also the immense consequences for those who witness such an attack. I have listened to farmers who have stopped sheep farming altogether because they cannot take it any more. They cannot mentally or financially take the hit of witnessing animals being tortured to death, brutally attacked

really stands out for me. When my team and I meet voters in Rathdown, we are always meeting people with dogs. These are pets that are treasured family members. They are vital companions for many in our community. They are well cared for and loved and they enjoy … better in protecting them, and this Bill allows us to do just that. Ireland has earned a shameful title as the puppy farm capital of Europe. It is not a badge of honour; it is a stain on our conscience. The Bill put forward by Deputy Whitmore will

that all dogs entering the country are given preventative treatment prior to their arrival here, thus protecting public health as well as domestic pets and wildlife. This work would not be possible under the legislation as it is proposed before the House today. In respect of the pest … came. Research shows that red foxes are widespread across Ireland and can be found in every county. The nature of Ireland's wildly-farmed, fragmented landscape and the absence of an apex predator means it lends itself to high fox densities. Indeed, Deputy Coppinger listed many

heard yesterday in the audiovisual room, I really doubted that, to be honest. If people knew what was really happening on puppy farms, they would think twice before buying a puppy. This Bill and Deputy Whitmore's work will, I hope, bring closer the reality of people realising … then it dies. If children are involved, there will be absolute heartbreak. I am a mother of four and we have had pets that reached the end of their lives. It devastates children, but this is preventable. Deputy Whitmore's Bill sets out to prevent cruelty against poor

energy poverty and is targeting 11,500 upgrades this year; — Ireland has legally binding targets for the collection and recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, and the Deposit Re-turn Scheme is ensuring we meet those targets; — the fully refundable deposit amount balances affordability with incentivising consumers … allocated for expenditure on measures including the continuation of a national retrofitting programme, investment in community energy efficiency measures, and funding for greener farming practices, as part of Ireland's climate policy and our aim to reach net-zero by 2050; — the temporary deferral