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Animal Welfare

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2014

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Questions (274)

Micheál Martin

Question:

274. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Laois; the steps that have been taken to deal with their allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46046/14]

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Written answers

My Department has been in correspondence with the person named for some time in relation to his allegations. My Department has at all times made it clear that responsibility for pursuing the allegations in question is a matter for investigation by An Garda Síochána. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 was commenced on the 6th March 2014 and, arising from its commencement, all animal welfare matters now come within the remit of my Department. Accordingly, my Department is in a position to investigate allegations of animal abuse occurring since the commencement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act. However, as the Act does not have retrospective effect, matters which took place prior to 6th March 2014 and were not part of the remit of my Department at that time remain outside my Department’s competence.

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