Vol. 486 No. 5
74 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on giving local authorities statutory powers to deal with the nuisance caused by the keeping of an excessive number of domestic animals by a particular resident in a built up area which is causing a serious nuisance to neighbouring residents. [2925/98]
Under the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, local authorities have powers to deal with nuisances, including animals kept in such a way as to constitute a nuisance or to be injurious to health, and may make by-laws regulating or preventing the keeping of animals on premises. The Control of Dogs Act, 1986, and regulations made under that Act regulate the keeping of dogs.
Enforcement of the Acts, regulations and by-laws referred to is a matter for the local authorities, or in some cases, the Garda. I have no proposals to amend the statutory powers currently available to local authorities.
