asked the Minister for Justice the action he proposes to take on the ISPCA report on the control of stray dogs and the health hazard they cause.
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Control of Stray Dogs.
4.
Copies of a scheme for the control of stray dogs, drawn up by the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, were received last year in several Government Departments. Co-ordination of the comments of the various Departments was undertaken by the Department of Finance and a reply was sent to the society by the Minister for Finance to the effect that this is an area in which local authorities rather than the Government should become involved as soon as their permissive powers are widened sufficiently.
Bearing in mind the £3 million loss to the sheep industry this year through attacks on sheep by stray dogs, surely this is a matter on which the Department of Justice should keep a very close eye?
There was a scheme put up by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Having examined that scheme in my Department and in other Departments which would be interested in it, it was felt the best way in which responsibility could be laid down was to give it to the local authorities. I can say, however, that it is not really appropriate to the Department of Justice.
I understood the Minister to make a reference to this last year. This £3 million loss in sheep occurred this year, so apparently the matter is not settled as yet. Many of my constituents are involved in this. Quite a few people from the city bring dogs down to Wicklow. Could the Department of Justice not intervene in this?
We cannot resolve the matter today.
I sympathise with sheep owners who have lost sheep through attacks by dogs. Already there are severe legal sanctions against owners of such dogs, and these are imposed where detections can be made. I can assure the Deputy that the Garda will give every assistance they can, but they cannot be expected to patrol the mountains of Wicklow to ensure that no attacks at all take place.