asked the Minister for Justice if he will introduce legislation regarding guard dogs and require that a licence be held for their use commercially.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Guard Dogs.
116.
I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Question No. 50, and supplementaries, of 10th May, 1973, on this subject. I have nothing to add to what I said on that occasion.
I had hoped that the Minister in the time that has since elapsed would have re-considered the matter. Is there any chance that he would look further into the matter with a view to improving the present unsatisfactory situation?
The difficulties which I indicated to the Deputy last May still exist and further consideration would not remove them; but the Deputy may be happy to know that the complaint which gave rise to the question last May—an attack by one of these dogs—did not arise since. No such attack has since occurred. I imagine that the publicity the question obtained possibly brought home to people who operate these animals the need to enforce strict standards.
Does the Minister think that is good enough?
I am not suggesting it is good enough per se but in this particular instance, if the Deputy was listening to the exchange and was aware of the question which Deputy Lemass asked me last May, he would be able to put my reply in context.