In the first half hour, Gillian Bird of the DSPCA (the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) talked about recent animal cruelty incidents (see Irish Independent article 5 th . January 2017- ‘Alarm over kid’s roles in animal abuse cases’). She also mentioned different forms of abuse based on ignorance neglect and deliberate cruelty.

Also the fact that sometimes owners cannot afford to feed their pets. She mentioned the fact that people can arrange to have a pet for an agreed period of time and the fact that the DSPCA have an important schools project whereby they go into schools talk to the children and pupils can come out and visit the animals.

In the discussion which followed it was agreed that it is important for children to have physical contact with animals in order to develop empathy and become aware that the animals have feelings and needs just like humans. The recent cruelty incidents reported in the press involved teenage boys and this cohort is the most likely offenders. There appeared to be a connection between bullying of fellow humans and animal cruelty.

Panellists Joe Dunne, Robert Navan and presenter John Haughton related their experiences in growing up and having family pets, like rabbits, dogs and linking in with other creatures. It was mentioned that Chief Seattle the well known Native American Chief pointed out that we are just one part of the web of life.

In the second half hour. Gearoid Ó Loinsigh talked about Columbia. Gearoid has spent many years studying human rights abuses particularly with regard to resource conflicts between miners, oil barons and loggers and the native people. He pointed out that more activists are assassinated in Columbia than in any other South American country, resulting from their efforts to protect their lands and prevent their destruction. He agreed that human rights and environmental destruction are two sides of the same coin.

He gave examples of particular big corporations by name and pointed out that many of these originated in Canada and were causing great damage in that country also. For example Anglo Gold Ashanti which has South African connections.

Gearoid has written many books on the subject but as yet they are only available in Spanish. Gearoid pointed out that it was big corporations that produced the document which has enabled the big companies to exploit the natural environment for monetary gain. Columbia is rich in many minerals and has good quality coal. They also have ample supply of mercury which is used in extractive industries.

Presenter: John Haughton

Panellists: Joe Dunne and Robert Navan

Studio guests: Gillian Bird, Gearoid O Loinsigh and Forest Friends French interns Hélène and Gabriel