The Government needs to inject some urgency into deciding on a dangerous dog ban, according to Deputy Willie O'Dea.

Nicole Morley, a 23-year-old from Limerick, was killed by her family dog last week.

Cabinet Ministers have been updated on the banning of the ownership of certain dog breeds including the XL bully.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys told her colleagues a committee set up to discuss dangerous breeds will meet on the 26th of June.

'Sad and tragic'

In the Dáil today, Limerick TD Willie O'Dea said the Taoiseach needs to inject some urgency into deciding on a ban.

“I attended a sad and tragic funeral of Nicole Morey, one of my constituents, whose family is very well known to me, who was killed by one of her family dogs the day after her 23rd birthday,” he said.

“Your colleague, the Tánaiste, is on record as saying that he is in favour of a blanket ban on all the different types of dogs on the State’s restricted list.

“Do you agree with the Tánaiste? I hope you do.”

Riz the XL Bully during a protest against the UK Government's decision to ban the breed, 30-09-2023. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Taoiseach Simon Harris said a task force will meet later this month.

“Minister Humphreys did update Cabinet on this today and you are correct that she has asked the task force looking at these issues around dogs, dangerous dogs, dog control, to prioritise this issue around a ban on certain breeds,” he said.

“I believe it’s due to meet on the 26th of June and we’ve asked that it report on that specific issue as quickly as possible because we do need to act on this.”

There are 11 breeds on Ireland's restricted dogs list, including the Rottweiler and Dobermann.

Main image: Willie O'Dea. Image: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie