‘Pet-friendly cafes? No, thanks – the only animals I want to see in a restaurant are on a plate’ - so says Newstalk's Sinead Ryan. 

Sinead, presenter of The Home Show and columnist with the Irish Independent, joined Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly on Newstalk Breakfast to discuss the idea of animals being allowed in restaurants.

“I think there is a place for pets—it is walking in the park or at home. It's definitely not where food of any kind is being served or prepared.

“It's not that I don’t like animals. 

“Of course, guide and assistance dogs, [that] absolutely goes without saying - they are their owner’s eyes and should be brought everywhere.” 

Pet-free or pet-friendly?

Sinead says her thoughts on this became prominent when she encountered a cat café while on holiday.

“You have fur, fleas, [and] the outside coming inside.

“I went on to the EU regulations because I was like, ‘There has to be an EU rule about this,' but there isn’t.”

“I’m relieved that Ireland for the most part doesn’t have this, but you see it in Spain, you see it in Portugal and definitely in France.

"They’re carting them around with little hats and coats on them - that’s another thing that I disagree with." 

“I just think this whole anthropomorphism of animals as kind of babies or substitutes—it's wrong on every level.” 

“Here’s the truth, people—I’m not going to love your baby as much as you do, so please don’t bring in your cat or your dog.” 

Sinead believes that bringing animals into restaurant settings raises questions over hygiene standards.

“This food recall, we are just on the other side of it - as a bug was detected. You want your Food Safety Authority doing exactly that kind of thing.

“I love the restaurants that have a dog bowl outside and somewhere to tie up your dog - that’s fine.” 

“The dogs in the restaurants - it’s just awful, it's unhygienic, it's disgusting, it’s revolting - I hate it!” 

Written by Cara McHugh