Animal Welfare

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 May 2014

Wednesday, 7 May 2014

Questions (173)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

173. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the cramped and filthy conditions that animals, including tigers are forced to live in at some circus encampments here; if circus encampments are regularly checked by animal welfare officers; the monitoring carried out to ensure that high standards of animal welfare are maintained in the animal entertainment industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20581/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 animals kept in circuses are subject to inspection in the normal course and enforcement action will be taken where necessary. If the Deputy has specific information of the conditions to which she refers she might inform An Garda Síochána, the Local Authorities or my Department.