Dessie Ellis
Dublin North-West · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“Notwithstanding the obvious requirement for the Garda to have the resources to adequately provide security during Ireland's tenure holding the Presidency of the EU, the loss of ten gardaí from Ballymun deals a substantial blow to an area that has seen a rise in violent criminal activities in recent times, particularly in relation to a wid…”
“This can be a result of staff shortages as the HSE has recruitment and staff retention problems. This has impacted school dental screening programmes and caused significant delays in routine dental assessments for children.”
“Early childhood dental examinations are important because they identify problems before they become serious. Early assessments of a child's teeth, jaws and bite can detect developmental issues that can reduce the need for more extensive treatment at a later age.”
“This is a result of the many children reaching secondary school before receiving dental assessments. There are also fewer dentists participating in State-funded schemes.”
“It systematically and deliberately attacked not just civilians, but civilian infrastructure as well as using starvation and thirst as a weapon against the Palestinian population. The barren landscape of rubble across Gaza demonstrates that for Israel Palestinian homes, schools and hospitals were legitimate military targets.”
“Detainees are denied adequate food, water and proper medical care. Settler violence has escalated and the illegal land grabs are continuing with the connivance of the Israeli military. If Palestinians intervene to protect their homes and farms, they are the ones attacked and killed by the settlers and the Israeli military.”
The complete record
Every one of 171 lines we hold for Dessie Ellis, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 4.
“It has taken the death of a young girl in Finglas for the Government to finally act. In framing the proposed legislation, the Government should take note of best practice for dealing with this problem in other countries. Communities want to see scramblers being seized and they also want to see people prosecuted. In Britain, police forces have been using a DNA spray that tags riders and bikes. This spray is an invisible, uniquely coded dye that aids in the identification of an offender, allowing for future prosecution. Drones are used to track offenders and scramblers, thereby avoiding the dangers of high-speed chase. In Britain, police forces have also used specialised scramblers to pursue and apprehend riders. It is unacceptable that people on scramblers are able to cover their faces.”
“My Bill would have given the Garda powers to seize, remove and dispose of such vehicles. This Bill was voted down by the then Government. In 2017, the then Deputy Imelda Munster and I introduced another Bill that again would have given the Garda the power to seize and detain quad bikes and scramblers when they were being used unlawfully. Once again this was voted down by the Government. In 2020, Sinn Féin introduced another Bill on scramblers and addressed concerns raised by the Government with regard to such legislation. Again, this Bill would have given the Garda powers of seizure, but also included a call for the Garda to be given the necessary resources and training to chase and apprehend people using scramblers unlawfully. Unfortunately, the Government voted down that Bill as well.”
“Communities have suffered the scourge of scramblers for too long. The death of Grace Lynch, a 16-year-old girl from Finglas, demands urgent action. People are frustrated by what they see as the lack of a proper response by the Garda to this menace. Gardaí are frustrated too, and while they have had some successes in seizing scramblers, the recent tragedy in Finglas shows that much more needs to be done. The current legislation is failing to tackle the scourge of scramblers and is not enforced. I have raised these concerns both in the Dáil and at local policing forums. I have also tried to bring legislation before the Dáil as far back as 2012. I introduced a Private Members' Bill that addressed the nuisance and dangers caused by scramblers in public areas, housing estates, parks and greens.”
“Sending those experiencing a psychotic episode to Garda stations or ill-equipped hospital emergency departments is not the solution. At the very least, every hospital should have dedicated spaces with specialist mental health teams available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ireland will continue to rank as one of the worst countries in Europe for mental health if we do not implement these changes.”
“This is particularly prevalent among young people, who have also been heavily impacted by the housing crisis. Demand for mental health services among this demographic has increased by more than 50% in recent years. An EU report in 2025 showed significant concerns with regard to mental health levels in Ireland, with the State receiving the lowest average score on a mind health index among the nine European countries surveyed. For a number of years, Ireland has been ranked as among the worst countries in the world for mental health. Services in this area have been haemorrhaging highly qualified staff , who are not being replaced. We have been talking about these matters for years. It is unacceptable that there has been such a poor response from the Government in tackling this mental health crisis.”
“There is a crisis in how mental healthcare services are delivered across the State. The lack of proper services means people experiencing a mental health crisis must present at hospital emergency departments. A person so presenting may, at the time of presentation, be in a state of psychosis and, having had to wait a number of hours for treatment, may come out of the psychosis. Some of them have then been sent home. This is highlighted in a recent report by the Mental Health Commission, which also showed there are often substantial delays for people undergoing a mental health crisis in terms of mental health assessments, especially in the evenings and at weekends. Existing emergency mental health services are being placed under great pressure and strain as they currently face a surge in demand.”
“The tragic death of Grace Lynch, a young 16-year-old Finglas girl, has caused consternation and anger in our community. The illegal use of scramblers is a major issue in communities throughout the country. Recent legislation to deal with this, as we warned, did not go far enough. While there have been seizures of scramblers in Finglas and Ballymun, no charges have been brought in regard to their illegal use. The policy of not going after these scramblers gives them carte blanche to do what they want on our roads and streets and in our parks and is a recipe for further serious incidents. We need to look at strengthening legislation and giving the Garda the proper resources and training to tackle this scourge.”
“I urge the Government to support this Bill and help to safeguard our children and communities from this pervasive and harmful gas.”
“Emergency departments are increasingly seeing cases of young people showing progressive nerve damage in their arms and legs. The sheer volume of canisters that are being found in communities every day shows that they are far too easily accessible. There are even reports that children as young as ten are using the gas. The use of nitrous oxide as a recreational drug has now become a major public health issue. This is a gas whose intended use is for medical and industrial purposes. It should not be freely available for purchase by the general public. This Bill takes a common-sense approach whereby access to these gas canisters is regulated and only sold through licensed suppliers, thereby ensuring they only go to the people who are meant to have them.”
“These piles of small canisters are less commonly seen now and have been replaced by larger, fast gas canisters, which can be bought for as little as €20 or less. The hundreds of discarded canisters lying around estates, parks and rural areas pose an environmental hazard, particularly for wildlife, domestic pets and livestock. Those using this gas are putting their health at risk. Doctors have warned of the dangers of using the gas. It has caused neurological damage and can even cause frostbite burns, which can be so severe that some children using the gas have needed skin grafts, which has led to permanent scarring. The gas is released at sub-zero temperatures and if this is inhaled, it can cause severe injury to the mouth, throat and lungs, as well as potentially rupturing lung tissue.”
“Three and a half years ago, I raised during Questions on Policy or Legislation the use of nitrous oxide, also known as hippie crack, as recreational drug, and asked that the Government put in place legislation to regulate its sale. To date, this has not been done, and this Sinn Féin Bill, sponsored by my colleagues, Mark Ward and Seán Crowe, is a timely response to the Government's failure to put forward similar legislation. The use of nitrous oxide has become pervasive in many communities across Ireland, particularly among more economically disadvantaged communities. A number of years ago, it would not be uncommon to find large quantities of discarded small silver canisters along the footpaths of estates or around greens.”
“It should not be the case that there is some diktat on how funding should be spent on meals in schools such as St. Malachy's. I urge the Government to reconsider the Department's attitude with regard to how money is spent and to provide the necessary funding for breakfast clubs for this DEIS school. The Government constantly talks about DEIS schools. We know the work being done and how important these schools are, but to provide a meal that consists of just a small snack or similar is not good enough. There are a lot of very vulnerable kids in these schools, including in this school. We really need dedicated funding for our breakfast club and for those children to go to school in order that they can learn and are not going there hungry. That is so important.”
“I thank the Minister of State. We are constantly being told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. To any child in homelessness or in a vulnerable circumstance, it is essential that the morning start with a proper breakfast. It is a credit to St. Malachy's that it has managed to provide a proper breakfast for some of its pupils. Funding for a snack club is simply not good enough. It is totally inadequate. There is also no funding available to run a breakfast club or for staff to run it. St. Malachy's does fund raising and also uses money left over from the snack club to provide some pupils with a breakfast. Funding should be allocated on a more general basis as being for the provision of meals for pupils. The position should be that the schools know best. They are the ones that should allocate the funding as they see fit.”
“The school has been told that it cannot use funds allocated for the snack club and the hot meals programme to be diverted into providing a breakfast for pupils. It should be the case that schools are the ones in the best position to decide how the children should be fed. It makes no sense that, if there is some surplus money out of the existing funds, it cannot be used to provide the most important meal of the day.”
“Malachy's, it is an essential meal to start every day of their learning. Who knows when some had a meal at home after school? They might not have had any or it might have been so long since they ate last that whatever they have for breakfast in school might be essential to sustain them for the next few hours. St. Malachy's does not get any funding for a breakfast club. In the past, the school used any surplus money provided for the snack club and the hot meals programme to provide a basic breakfast for as many children as it could manage. The school completion programme does not provide any funding for staff to run a breakfast club. The individual who puts the breakfast together does so on a voluntary basis.”
“It is no surprise that many of these children will not have a breakfast and probably will not have a proper meal until they get home late in the evening. This is why the provision of food at school is so important for these vulnerable children. Studies show that school food will significantly impact the student's physical and mental health by improving concentration, overall academic performance, and behaviour. St. Malachy's has made an application previously for funding for a breakfast club. It received funding for a so-called snack club and the provision of hot meals later in the day. The snack club provides pupils with some sliced apple, a rice cake or a similar thing each morning. They get two pieces of whatever is on offer. Breakfast is often said to be the most important meal of the day. For many of the children who go to St.”
“Malachy's has access to four play therapists, a breakfast club and a school transition programme, assisting the sixth class students with their transition to secondary school. The programme has proven to be very successful, as many students come from vulnerable communities. Through this programme, they are encouraged to complete their education, helping them to develop into confident and accomplished young people and young adults. However, it is a struggle for many of the children. Some come from as far away as Ashford because they are living in homeless accommodation. It would be difficult for an adult experiencing these circumstances, but it is 100 times more difficult for a small child to get themselves up and about to be in time for school in Finglas.”
“Oliver Plunkett's Junior National School has provided around 95% of the children to the school since the late 1970s. St. Malachy's became part of the DEIS programme of support for schools in 2005. It is also a trauma-informed school. The school ensures that there is a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for all of the students. For example, many of the children who attend St. Malachy's have experienced or are experiencing homelessness and this has had a major psychological effect on them and greatly impacted their education. That is why the school's participation in the school completion programme is so important. The school completion programme provides support for children and young people at risk of early school leaving. Through this programme, St.”
“I would like to raise an important issue with regard to St. Malachy's Mixed National School, St. Helena's Road, Finglas south. St. Malachy's is a mixed senior DEIS band 1 school and has been central to the community of Finglas south for almost 50 years. When it opened first, it catered for over 200 children. St. Malachy's was the third primary school in Finglas south along with St. Finian's National School and St. Oliver Plunkett's Junior National School. At its height from the early 1980s onwards, St. Malachy's had almost 600 children and 19 teachers. However, from the late eighties, numbers began to fall gradually and today there are 132 students. Currently, the school has a principal, seven class teachers, three special education teachers and one shared home school liaison officer. St.”
“The Government should do the decent thing and reverse this proposal, which has proved itself as popular as the infamous proposal to tax children's shoes by a previous Fine Gael Government in 1982.”
“It will also impact individuals who have complex medication regimes, for example, cancer patients, who realistically can have a dozen or more tablets to take for anything up to three times a day. Blister packs are especially useful for caregivers who can check whether the medication required by those they are caring for is taken in a timely manner. I have already had a number of calls to my constituency office from very distressed constituents, who are already struggling in this cost-of-living crisis. Many are on long-term medication and the thought of having to pay anything up to an extra €50 for their medication is causing them great anxiety. This stress and anxiety are not alleviated by the Government deferring the payment until later in 2026. It cannot have this hanging over the heads of some of the most vulnerable in our community.”
“The announcement by the Government to delay until later in 2026 its proposal to withdraw funding from January for medication blister packs issued by pharmacies clearly shows that the Government has bowed to the immense political and public backlash to this very unpopular proposal. However, kicking it down the road is not a solution to a problem of its own creation. It is outrageous that the Government wants to put a charge on such packs. It is also outrageous that even those holding medical cards will be liable to pay the charge. Who are the people who will be most affected by such a charge? They will be the people who will benefit most from having their medication dispensed from blister packs, such as elderly patients and those with memory-related difficulties like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.”
“We need to now redirect moneys to the local authorities, which will deliver housing more cost-effectively than the public-private partnership schemes. Local authorities need to be the lead developers in delivering these badly needed homes.”
“The Tánaiste's colleague, the Minister for housing, James Browne, has pulled the plans to build nearly 500 units within the Dublin City Council area under public-private partnerships. A total of 1,000 new homes have already been delivered under public-private partnerships and a further 3,500 were in the process of being delivered across the country. However, the Minister pulled the plug on the delivery of these additional homes. These units will primarily not be built because of opposition from the Department of public expenditure two days before construction on the project was to commence. Companies had already put substantial investment into the project in terms of both staff and resources. We have a lame duck Minister.”
“The football pitches in Farnham will be affected, namely Erin's Isle and Rivermount. We need some community gain as a result. I spoke to the NTA about providing an all-weather pitch. If it is taking some pitches and part of the park it needs to reciprocate. That is important. The Government said this is a priority and it is in the NDP, which is fine, but it needs to move fast. We cannot sit back, which has happened before, while timeline after timeline disappears. I urge the Minister of State to push for the project because it is badly needed.”
“I thank the Minister of State. There is an urgency in moving ahead. There are major plans to develop the area. Finglas village will be redeveloped. Charlestown will be affected. A large number of apartments are being built across the area and the population is growing. I have dealt with metro north, in terms of the number of meetings I went to and the commitments that were made and broken, one after another - I must have attended 100 meetings over the years. I have attended a number of meetings in regard to the Luas. It bugged me when I saw a reference to potential completion by 2031. It does not sound like the project will be completed by 2031. I wish it was done earlier. I am afraid things will slip and the project will be dragged out. The community gain is important. People have conceded a lot of space.”
“Concerns have also been raised regarding the quality and design of the planned cycle paths which have been described as substandard and disjointed. There also needs to be a community gain to offset the clear impact the project will have on local communities. This is something that needs to be included in the delivery of the project. The route of the Luas to Finglas extension was changed in order go round pitches at Farnham Drive and those used by Erin's Isle GAA Club and Rivermount Football Club. These clubs have to be facilitated and an all-weather pitch must be constructed to cater for the needs of the clubs and community.”
“I am concerned that even this date is too far into the future and the project will slip further. The people of Finglas need this service and there should be no delay in progressing and completing it as soon as possible. Charlestown in Finglas has a growing population and people are already frustrated with regard to the public transport options or lack thereof. The proposed date of construction is dependent on receiving the proper funding for the project. At present, the proposed cost of the project is €600 million. Apart from construction costs, there will be a significant cost in terms of land acquisition. A lot of money has already been spent before a sod has even been turned. I am concerned about the money being made available for the project and that it stays within budget.”
“It will nevertheless improve connectivity and have enormous environmental benefits by taking approximately 440,000 private car journeys off the road along the route annually and extend the transport service to an additional 60,000 or more people. The project could also have been more ambitious and allowed the extension to cross the M50 to continue to the airport. We are past the first hurdle in attaining the railway order. There now follows the procurement process and, finally, the construction phase. We have seen time and again how major projects like this have begun with great fanfare and a proposed timeline for completion only to for the timeline to slip significantly and costs escalate. The current proposed timeline of 2031 for the completion of the construction of the extension is a problem.”
“The addition of this extra 4 km of Luas line will be of enormous benefit of the people and business community of Finglas who had good reason to believe that areas like Finglas were being neglected, marginalised and left behind when it came to such large-scale projects. It is long past the time that Finglas had a project of such stature, which would vastly improve the quality of life for many residents of Finglas. The new BusConnects routes have given rise to concern among Finglas residents who have complained about the loss of direct bus connections, reduced bus frequencies and longer travel times. If the Luas extension was in place now, it might have mitigated many of these concerns.”
“I welcome the fact that the Luas Finglas extension railway order was granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála in October 2025. This marks a major milestone in the progress of a project long in the making and long overdue. The project involves extending the existing Broombridge Luas green line to Charlestown, which will add four new stops at St. Helena's, Finglas south, Finglas village, St. Margaret's Road and Charlestown Shopping Centre. All these areas, which the Luas extension is either going through or bordering on, are areas of high population. The extension will also carer for a 350 space car park-and-ride facility near the M50.”
“Such non-competitive arrangements restrict choice for parents and can lead to higher prices. This Bill aims to take the stress out of buying school uniforms by giving parents a choice as to where to buy uniforms and deliver good value, especially during this cost-of-living crisis.”
“It will definitely be a financial burden on parents who have to buy school uniforms for a number of children. Some reports have indicated that the total spend on school uniform items can be around €300. Although the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance offers some assistance to hard-pressed families, it falls short of the actual costs the family will incur. The CCPC has made a number of recommendations to help to reduce the costs for parents. The most obvious of these recommendations, which are reflected in this Bill, involves the use of generic uniforms with iron-on or sew-on crests. The implementation of these recommendations has not been consistent. Many schools expect parents to buy branded uniforms which can only be bought at certain shops.”
“School uniforms also offer a practical and convenient solution to parents because they make the decision on what to wear going to school an easy one. It eliminates socioeconomic distinctions among students and removes the possibility of students being discriminated against based on their clothing. However, the cost of a child's uniform can quickly add up, especially if they are required to have a blazer, a tracksuit and other PE gear. Most likely the school uniform will have the school crest on the blazer or jumper. The cost of school uniforms can vary between schools but the average cost for a school uniform in Ireland is around €119 for primary schools and €211 for secondary schools. Additionally, parents can also spend on average around €100 on PE items. This can prove costly if a family is struggling financially.”
“In most primary and post-primary schools, school uniforms are mandatory. School uniform policy is generally decided by each individual school's board of management. Increasingly, the cost of uniforms has become a significant concern for many families. This proposed legislation addresses these concerns and outlines a number of ways for schools to offer more cost-effective options for parents. While we are being critical of their cost, we accept that school uniforms can have beneficial effects. They can promote a sense of pride, self-confidence and a feeling of belonging. They can contribute positively to a student's overall well-being. There is a belief among many teachers that school uniforms can help to prevent bullying as well.”
“As the Taoiseach is aware, a family's weekly grocery shopping has substantially increased in cost. Along with this hit to the pockets of hard-pressed families, it has become increasingly clear that many of the products being bought by families have decreased either in volume, weight or size in a trend known as shrinkflation, while prices for these products have risen substantially. What is the Government's plan to tackle this cynical practice, which affects the spending power of families in this cost-of-living crisis?”
“I extend best wishes to those on the flotilla bringing aid to Gaza, including Senator Chris Andrews and a local Finglas man, Diarmuid Mac Dubhghlais, or "Dougie", as we know him. We wish them all the best and safe passage but - my God - they are up against it.”
“This effort at depopulation also applies to the West Bank, where the construction of illegal settlements has accelerated under the government of Netanyahu, whose cabinet includes far-right settlers. Settlers emboldened by the IDF have increased their attacks on local Palestinian communities, ransacking villages, killing residents and destroying farmland. Since 7 October, there have been more than 2,400 settler attacks on Palestinian properties, resulting in the displacement of thousands of people. Israel is clearly of the view it can operate outside the norms of humanity with impunity. This deliberate blocking of food, water and aid to a starving population is a cruel collective punishment of the Palestinian people and a clear indication of Israel's contempt for humanity.”
“Israel's war on Gaza has been ongoing since the 1948 Nakba and even before then. The ultimate goal of Israel has always been to eradicate the Palestinian presence from Palestine. The Gaza Strip is only 25 miles long and from 3.7 miles to 7.5 miles wide. Over 2 million people are squeezed into this densely packed territory. In this tiny area, Israel has systematically wiped out homes, hospitals, religious sites, educational facilities, transport infrastructure and every other type of facility or structure required for the proper governance of a country. Israel has also deliberately created conditions for mass starvation and disease. It is clear the objective of Israel in this war is to make Gaza uninhabitable.”
“With the slaughter that is now taking place in Gaza, it is easy to forget about the five successive wars that took place in Gaza between 2009 and 2022. The Israeli political and military establishment has long held a disdain and contempt for the Gaza Strip and always had an eye to taking it over and ethnically cleansing the area of its Palestinian population. These previous wars resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinian men, women and children. The number of Palestinians killed by Israel in the previous wars in Gaza pales in comparison to the wholesale slaughter that is now being carried out on the civilian population by the IDF in this current war, which began on 7 October after an attack by Hamas on communities and settlements bordering the Gaza Strip.”
“Cars are often the only option when there is a lack of reliable public transport. These increases in car insurance premiums are adding to the burden of people struggling in a cost-of-living crisis. Sinn Féin's Judicial Council (Amendment) Bill 2021 will tackle what is in effect price-gouging by the insurance companies. The Bill will force insurance companies to prove that they have passed on to the consumer any benefits they receive instead of holding on to such benefits to increase their own profits. It is high time the Government allowed this Bill to pass through its Stages and come into law to help families struggling to pay bills in this cost-of-living crisis.”
“Yet, despite these figures, which show a sharp decline in claims, motor insurance premiums continue to rise. CSO figures show that Irish motor insurance prices rose 11.4% by December 2024 and that premiums had risen for 14 consecutive months by October 2024. In the sixth annual private motor insurance report of the National Claims Information Database, the Central Bank said that the average premium cost per policy increased by 2% in 2023, while insurance companies saw their profits rise by 8%. Most people are reliant on cars for commuting, shopping and other daily activities. Cars are a matter of necessity for many in rural or outlying areas. They are also a necessity for those with disabilities and those who care for them and for the sick and the elderly in communities.”
“It is a legal requirement in Ireland to have at least third party car insurance to drive on public roads. Of course, it is important that people have car insurance. It acts as a safety net, protecting those insured against significant financial and personal costs, including medical bills and expensive repairs as a result of an accident. The main contributor to the increasing cost of premiums are personal injury claims. However, figures from the Injuries Resolution Board show that there has been a continuing reduction in the number of motor insurance claims made to the board and that the value of the awards the body has paid out are down by 41% as courts are increasingly using the personal injury guidelines on awards to settle litigated cases. Figures also show that motor accident claims have fallen by 30% over the past six years.”
“This issue here is to do with cruelty to animals, however, and Rásaíocht Con Éireann should have a role in trying to get this sorted out. This really needs to be brought forward. It is no use saying the Government is looking at this. This is going on well over a year since it has been brought up.”
“He was told that the public consultation had closed, which the Minister of State stated, and that the results would be published in due course. When will these results be published? It is dragging on and on. This is a question of cruelty to animals and animal rights. It is not something we can drag on. The suffering of these animals is just not good enough. This practice is outlawed in the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands. I accept what the Minister of State said about Rásaíocht Con Éireann and the rehousing of greyhounds, which has been an issue raised in recent years, although I will not go into the reasons for that. That has been an important and well taken-up thing because, even in my area, I notice a large number of people walking greyhounds. That is working.”
“The vast majority of people are not aware of this practice. I was not even aware of it for a long time myself. When you explain this to people, they cannot understand how such a practice could take place or how any dog, greyhound or otherwise, could have their uterus taken out, injected and then put back in again. It just does not add up. It is totally and utterly barbaric. The Minister of State said that in June 2024, the former Minister and current Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, announced a public consultation on whether the practice of surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds should be banned. My colleague, Senator Chris Andrews, raised this issue twice in the Seanad, on 1 May and 19 June 2025.”
“A report by the working group on the control of dogs recommended revising the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to prohibit surgical artificial insemination in canines. I urge that the Minister look seriously at these recommendations and introduce the necessary amendments to address this barbaric practice.”
“I welcome the announcement in April 2024 by the Veterinary Council of Ireland that it had updated its code of professional conduct for veterinary practitioners prohibiting veterinarians from carrying out surgical artificial inseminations in dogs due to ethical and welfare considerations. It is a cruel, unnecessary and clearly unethical procedure. A report by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine recommended a complete ban on surgical artificial insemination, noting it carried risks even when performed in a controlled sterile environment. The practice must be banned. We see from the consultation process carried out by the Veterinary Council of Ireland that the public is against the procedure.”
“It is not done for the good of the greyhound or for health reasons. It is about the greed of the greyhound industry and the money won at the local dog track. In general, a greyhound should have only three to four litters in its lifetime. While there is no limit in theory to how many times a greyhound can undergo surgical artificial insemination, and even if it is only carried out for the limit of three or four litters a greyhound should have for its well-being, it is still three or four litters too many. The procedure causes unnecessary strain and stress for the dog. It is nothing to do with the dog's welfare and everything to do with making money for its owner. Animal welfare organisations have been vocal in expressing their concerns about the procedure.”
“The semen is injected directly into the uterus using a fine needle before the uterus is placed back into the greyhound's body and the wound is stitched. The procedure also involves injecting semen extracted from deceased dogs. The British Veterinary Association has stated its view that this practice is highly unethical and very painful for bitches because the subsequent pregnancy will put additional pressure on the abdominal wounds. All surgeries come with risks but these animals are being subjected to a process that is not intended to correct a medical issue that can only be resolved by surgery. The animals' lives are being put at risk by a non-vital surgical procedure. It is well known that greyhounds are prone to certain complications such as blood clotting that can be exacerbated by this unnecessary surgical procedure.”