I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, for coming in to take this matter. It relates to dog-breeding establishments. I am looking for details on the number of pups bred in the country every year and the numbers exported. I listed in the text of the Topical Issue I submitted the various bits and pieces I am seeking. I have dealt with many animal rights groups and charities in recent years. Some of the stuff I have seen has been eye-opening. Some of the facts, statistics and images I have seen at first hand are appalling. The State and the Government have a great deal to do to ensure that dog-breeding establishments are compliant and regulated and that where issues arise, the repercussions are felt by those offending or not in compliance. Nearly 7,500 dogs entered Irish pounds last year, according to the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that the numbers of cats and dogs surrendered between January and November last year were up 49% and 44%, respectively, and that 30,000 pups are bred in licensed establishments every year. Other animal welfare groups estimate the figure could be anywhere from 70,000 to 80,000 pups per annum. To give an example of how big and lucrative the industry is in Ireland, the UK has a population 15 times larger than ours and yet we produce half the number of pups that are bred there. That shows the extent of the dog breeding in this country. Much of it is done properly and correctly by responsible breeders, but, unfortunately, much of it goes under the radar. Some 25,770 pups were listed for sale on dogs.ie in 2024. Annually, we are told the figure of registered pups bred in licensed establishments is typically 7,000 or 8,000. How were there 25,500 pups for sale on dogs.ie in 2024? That is something we need to reconcile and correct. Some of the practices in the sector are very concerning. It is an industry estimated to be worth around €150 million per annum. We need to look at legislation that will restrict the number of breeding bitches we permit dog breeders to have. At present one can have six breeding bitches. That needs to be revised downwards, in the context of the capacity of these establishments and animal welfare being at the centre of it. We need to tighten up on alleged tax avoidance by those breeders, particularly in non-registered or backyard breeding establishments. There is a clear case for Revenue to be looking at this. We also need to tighten up on the issue of dog licensing and micro-chipping to ensure there is compliance. I was in the Dáil a number of weeks ago when a Fine Gael TD, Deputy O'Connell, raised a recent court case where a person clearly in breech and found guilty of numerous animal welfare abuses was fined a measly €500. Anybody who knows anything about the industry knows the pups are often going for €1,000 or €2,000. When we have a system that does not disincentivise that type of behaviour, people will continue to take their chances and operate under the radar. Recently, Barry Roche, a journalist in the Irish Examiner, had a story about a conviction in Charleville which I might mention in my supplementary contribution.

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I thank the Minister of State. I know it is not his Department but I appreciate the figures. I was already familiar with many of them. For example, one statistic was that in 2024, a figure of 8,768 pups were exported. The ISPCA and the DSPCA both estimate that around 40,000 or 50,000 pups were exported. I trust the charities on the ground. As public representatives, when we get a report of a horse, a dog or whatever in jeopardy, we know they are the people dealing with it every day. Basically, the State is gives them a few bob every year to sustain them in the hope that we are ticking the boxes. Essentially, that is what we have done over the last few years. I trust their figures more than I trust the Department's figures. When they tell me there are more than 40,000 pups being exported every year, I trust them and not necessarily the figures the Minister of State read out. The Minister of State rightly said it is the responsibility of the local authorities. I can only speak about Cork but I think we have three dog wardens in the city at the moment. I think it is a bit better in the county where there are approximately six. They are not tasked with enforcing the stuff they are faced with. I am just on the phone to a journalist, Barry Roche, who had an article in the Irish Examiner a couple of weeks back about somebody who was found guilty in Charleville. The crimes that are being committed and the gain for these people in taking the chance and going under the radar far outstrip the sanctions and penalties they are faced with if they get caught. I am aware this will all come under the Department of agriculture but I have a concern about that. I understand why it is being done, because the vets are with the Department of agriculture, but there are not enough vets. The vets will say there are not enough of them. They do not even have powers to do unsanctioned visits or inspections of properties. The Minister of State and I live in the part of the country where most of this puppy farm culture is, namely, north Cork, west Limerick and parts of Kerry. The numbers being paraded are frankly astounding. It is an industry worth more than €120 million or €130 million. It needs to be better regulated and tightened up. Ultimately, we need to improve animal welfare standards.

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