andMr. B. Desmond asked the Minister for Health (1) the number of applications for licences under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876 to-date in which the proposed experiment (i) could have been performed by an alternative method without the use of live animals (ii) sought information already available (iii) repeated an earlier experiment, (iv) was not deemed to be for the saving of life or alleviation of suffering and (v) was likely to cause severe suffering; and (2) the number of licences refused by his Department in each case.
Written Answers. - Cruelty to Animals.
209.
I presume that the question relates to the present year.
In regard to the specific queries raised the position is as follows: Licences are not given for work on live animals in cases where an alternative technique is available. No application for such a licence was received.
I have no precise data regarding experiments aimed at obtaining information already available or repeating earlier experiments but generally applicants who receive licences do not exactly repeat earlier experiments carried out by other researchers.
There was no application which was not deemed to relate to the saving of life or the alleviation of suffering.
The information required regarding experiments likely to cause severe suffering is not available. Experiments are normally conducted under anaesthesia. Unless there are special exemptions authorised by my Department animals which are likely to suffer subsequent pain are killed before recovering from the anaesthesia.
My Department have not refused a licence during the current year. Where necessary, however, they have consulted with applicants and accepted modified applications.