I raise with the Taoiseach the issue of equine welfare but maybe animal welfare in a broader sense. In Glanmire in the last week, we have had an issue, particularly with horses, and I know this is happening up and down the country. We have reams after reams of animal welfare legislation but no enforcement. We came across another case in Glanmire last week as I said where all of the agencies, from the Department of agriculture and Cork City Council to An Garda Síochána who all have adequate powers to deal with issues on site are not utilising their powers and basically leaving it to animal welfare activists and charities.

I know in the spring legislative programme that was published, there is an animal welfare Bill coming forward. I ask that consideration be given to a Bill that I helped with myself on the appointment of an equine officer in each local authority so we have a designated person who can deal with it and none of this faffing around and trying to shovel responsibility onto other agencies.

That is a very good idea from the Deputy and there are issues, as he has described, in Glanmire this week. Across the country, we have had appalling conditions of animal cruelty, particularly in respect of horses and that needs to stop and the agencies need to get stronger and be more effective. The idea of appointing an equine officer in every local authority makes absolute sense to me. It is something I will pursue with the Minister and with the local authorities.