Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2016
225. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections officials in his Department made into the welfare of animals in circuses over the past year; if any welfare issues were identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35534/16]
View answer226. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on prohibiting the use of animals in circuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35535/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.
The conditions under which all species of animals in circuses are kept and managed come under the scope of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which contains rules relating to the welfare of all animals, including wild animals in circuses. Officials from my Department have inspected 4 circuses to date this year but no significant animal welfare issues were identified.
My Department continues to engage with stakeholders, including circus groups, animal welfare organisations, in relation to the welfare of wild animals in circuses. According to the information available to my Department, there are in fact very few wild animals currently performing in Irish circuses. I have no plans at this juncture to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
