Vol. 418 No. 2
45 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if he has satisfied himself with the existing legislation that gives power to the local authorities to address the problem of wandering animals and strays in the Animal Act, 1985; if he will outline the number of animals impounded by this legislation; the cost of providing this service and the fines collected in each of the years between 1988 and 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Minister for Justice has a narrow statutory function under the Act in question in regard to the impounding by local authorities of wandering animals. The Minister is empowered under the Pounds (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935, (a) to direct local authorities to provide pounds and (b) to fix the various fees which the local authorities charge the owners of impounded animals. I have no plans at present for further amending legislation in this regard.
As regards the number of animals impounded by local authorities under this legislation and the cost thereof, it would not be possible to furnish this information without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time which I consider would not be justified. Separate details are not kept of the fines collected for breaches of the various animals Acts.
