asked the Minister for Agriculture the proposals he has to prevent further sheep being killed by marauding dogs.
508.
Written Answers. - Marauding Dogs.
507.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the serious loss of sheep and lambs caused by marauding dogs on farms throughout Ireland, he will review the present system of dog control as a matter of urgency.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose taking Questions Nos. 507 and 508 together.
Existing legislation provides comprehensive powers and measures for the control of dogs, including that aspect of particular concern to my Department, which is the protection of sheep from attack by marauding dogs. The question of the more effective implementation of these powers and measures is being examined by my Department in conjunction with the other Departments involved, namely, the Departments of the Environment, Justice and to a lesser degree, Finance. The matter is also being considered in the Advisory Council on Animal Health.
One of the objectives of these on-going deliberations will be to strengthen the implementation of those measures concerned with the protection of sheep from dog attacks.