asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is satisfied that the measures taken to prevent the entry of dogs to this country are adequate to meet the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dog Import Measures.
9.
I am satisfied that everything possible is being done here to prevent the illegal importation of dogs. The stringent veterinary precautions taken under our statutory regulations governing the importation of dogs and other rabies-susceptible animals to prevent the introduction of that dreaded disease into this country are closely co-ordinated with those operated in our neighbouring islands. These security measures include the prohibition, except under licence, of the importation of any rabies-susceptible animal other than animals from Northern Ireland and cats and dogs from Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Animals allowed in here under licence must immediately on landing undergo a period of not less than six months quarantine and must be vaccinated against rabies during quarantine.
The possibility of illegal importations is guarded against by continuous and intensive surveillance at all ports and airports as well as at harbours or other landing places around our coast where foreign yachts and fishing vessels put in.
Posters warning about the rabies danger have been widely circulated for display at such landing points and at the continental car-ferry at Le Havre. Hand-outs on our import regulations have been supplied to airline and shipping companies here, and to yachting clubs and tourist organisations here and on the Continent.
Close liaison is maintained between the Irish and British authorities so as to ensure against either country being used as a back-door entry for rabies-susceptible animals from abroad. Our controls are being strictly applied and are kept under continuous review in the light of developments in the present rabies situation abroad.
My Department are at present intensifying their efforts through widespread publicity in the Press and other media, to focus the attention of the public on the dangers of smuggling or other evasion of our import regulations. Naturally the fullest co-operation and vigilance on the part of the public is essential in this very serious matter.
I take it the Minister's reply would allay some people's fears. Will the Minister state definitely that the fact that he is satisfied with the present arrangements means that there is no need for fear in this matter?
The Minister is satisfied that the present arrangements are the best that could be entered into. There should be no fears as long as people do not try to circumvent these arrangements. The position is that the publicity the Deputy can give by putting down this question and that the Press can give it, is highly important; that every person in this country, or any other country, who owns a dog or any other rabies-susceptible animal should be made aware of the dreadful deed he does if he tries to contravene these regulations.
Would the Minister consider having the announcement made on aeroplanes asking people who have been in touch with farm animals or on farms to report to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries either supplanted or supplemented now by a similar sort of announcement about rabies precautions? Is the Minister aware that the announcement in regard to foot and mouth disease perhaps is not as relevant now as it was when first introduced and that it might be a good idea to have it changed to the sort of announcement to which I referred?
I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister. However, I can give the Deputy the following information: no case of rabies has been reported in Ireland since 1903. Apart from two cases in 1969 and 1970 Britain has been free from the disease, outside quarantine, since 1922. Dogs and cats may be moved in either direction, between Ireland and Britain without restriction. In order that that fortunate situation may be maintained, the two countries adopt a common stand in relation to the import of rabies-susceptible animals from abroad. Close liaison is maintained between the Irish and British authorities to ensure against either country being used as a back-door entry to the other for illegal importation of rabies-susceptible animals. The two countries operate a reciprocal arrangement under which advance notification is given to the other in the case of animals from abroad being trans-shipped at a landing point in one country for final destination in the other.
The Minister is aware that it is equally true that there has not been an outbreak of foot and mouth disease here since the forties but that this announcement is still made on our aeroplanes. Perhaps a similar type of announcement might be made——
I have told the Deputy that I will bring that matter to the attention of the Minister.
Is the Minister aware that it is said that unscrupulous or uncaring persons resort to the practice, particularly in regard to small animals, small dogs, of drugging them and illegally bringing them in conveyances into this country, and to other countries, when they are in this state of stupefaction? Perhaps it is something to which our authorities, at various points of entry, should be more alert at present?
I think our authorities at the point of entry are alert. If such a very disagreeable practice as was outlined by the Deputy is in fact extant, this publicity today will bring people to the realisation that we must keep this disease out of our country, that the regulations must be obeyed and that complete surveillance is being applied to see to it that those who would in any way break those regulations shall pay the very heavy penalty.
Surely the Minister might undertake also to bring to the attention of his colleagues the number of stray dogs very prevalent in most of our towns and villages at present——
The Deputy is raising a distinct and separate matter.
——and that if this unfortunate disease were to be brought in here——
(Interruptions.)
Will the Minister try to do something to control them? It is all very well to go after the licensed owners of these dogs but what about those that are going around without any mark on them? Will the Minister engage in some sort of campaign to try to rid the streets of them?
The Deputy will be aware, as I have told the House, that no outbreak of rabies has been reported here since 1903. Therefore, one would take it in the normal course of events that the disease would have to be introduced from abroad. As long as the stringent regulations are not contravened, there should be no danger. We must be certain that there is no danger. I have outlined to the House the various steps that are being taken.