Dog Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2025-12-10
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Jennifer Whitmore (SD), Wicklow

I thank everybody who contributed today. It is clear that this Bill is supported by most Members of the House. Most people can understand the need for it and the urgency with it. That is why, when the Minister of State spoke initially about a 12-month delay, I was concerned because that would mean that, over those 12 months, another 100,000 pups will be born in Ireland, many of them in horrific conditions. I understand the need to go through processes and I know a number of consultations are taking place. It is really important that the voices of dog rescues, vets and those involved in looking after dogs are heard. I understand the need for those processes but I want the timeframe to be expedited.
I thank the Minister of State because I have just received notification from him that he is prepared to move to a nine-month timeframe, which would be sufficient to get through those consultations. I am really pleased with that and the Social Democrats will accept it. We want to work closely with the Government on this issue, which we are passionate about. It is important, on issues like this, that the Social Democrats work constructively with the Government. People want to see action on this issue, regardless of which party they support. Whether it is the Social Democrats, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or Independents or whoever else, it does not matter because people want to see this actioned.
I thank the Minister of State for his confirmation that a nine-month timeframe will be set on the Bill and that he will work closely with me and my party. I have some other suggestions. I think it would be appropriate at this stage to see if additional funding can be provided for rescues that are dealing with what is a crisis at the moment and to examine the possibility of establishing a special committee to get this Bill across the line as soon as possible.
I thank the Minister of State very much for the change and I look forward to working with him. I hope to hear from him, the Minister, Deputy Heydon, and indeed the Department shortly about next steps on how we can progress this Bill.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-12-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:27+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-10