Fergus O'Dowd
Question:491 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied). [38744/10]
View answerWednesday, 27 October 2010
Questions (392)
Written answers
The correspondence referred to in the Question was not received in my Department.
The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 was signed by the President on 21 July, 2010 following its passage through the Oireachtas. It is intended that the Act will commence in early 2011.
Section 16 of the Act provides that it will be unlawful for the operator of a dog breeding establishment to keep a dog that is over 12 weeks old which is not implanted with a microchip. The time limit for micro chipping will reduce to 8 weeks after the first year of operation of the Act. It is expected that this provision will assist Local Authorities in identifying dogs as part of their control functions. My Department has no function with regard to the control of cats.