Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 5

Written Answers. - Animal Experimentation.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

28 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Health whether the increase in the animals used in 1990 as compared to 1989 for painful experiments under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, was attributable to the licensing of new programmes of research by his Department; if so, if he will outline the nature and purpose of those programmes and the procedures carried out during them.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

114 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the fact that there has been an increase of over 50 per cent since 1986, in the number of animals used in painful experiments under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 28 and 114 together.

There has not been a large increase in the number of animals used in experiments under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876. Figures for such experiments have varied over the years as will be evident from the following table:—

Total Number of Animals Used

1981	36,468
1982	30,764
1983	36,288
1984	36,831
1985	32,136
1986	31,315
1987	37,178
1988	33,896
1989	32,155
1990	35,413

The increase in the 1990 figure over 1989 is therefore not necessarily indicative of an increasing trend.

The balance of medical, scientific and other informed opinion at the present time is that properly controlled animal experimentation contributes to advances which lead to the saving of human life and alleviation of human suffering. I accept that some animal experimentation will, therefore, continue to be necessary in the public interest subject to proper safeguards but I am anxious to keep the level of experimentation to the absolute minimum.