HOW a country treats the most vulnerable in its society is long regarded as a good general yardstick to judge it by and to this end, the record State funding announced this week for the protection of animals nationwide is to be warmly welcomed.

Some 99 charities, lead by the ISPCA and DSPCA, will benefit from some €5.8 million in funding - up over €2 million on last year - an increase of 55%.

Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue (FF), Minster of State Martin Heydon (FG) and Minister for State Pippa Hackett (Greens) delivered the early Christmas present on what was the second Animal Welfare Awareness Day on Thursday.

Animal welfare has traditionally been grossly underfunded given the scale of the problem that exists throughout Ireland, involving pets, equine and livestock. This major funding tranche sends out the right message of how seriously any developed nation, particularly a top food-producing country like ourselves, takes this issue.

With virtually all charities, of every hue, creaking at the seams this Christmas to continue their work against the twin evils of dwindling volunteers coupled with diminishing contributions from the hard pressed public, this record funding also marks an important step in that recognition. Effectively it gives some teeth to the somewhat tired mantra of zero tolerance and underlines the State’s commitment to this vital area.

Review bites the dust

Horse Sport Ireland’s Judicial Review has predictably bitten the dust, just weeks after Minister McConalogue’s appointment of a new powerful board to steady the reins at the embattled Naas-based HQ. Minister McConalogue’s commitment to continuing funding to our sector is clear cut from his comments to The Irish Field (see Judith Faherty’s adjoining news article) while recent events at HSI will also be examined by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, chaired by Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill (FF).