Freedom of Information

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2017

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

Questions (125)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

125. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he can facilitate freedom of information requests to county councils to make all inspection records and applications in relation to dog breeding establishments available in unredacted form, apart from mobile phone numbers being redacted, in order that persons and animal welfare groups can have full and comprehensive information for their submissions to the consultations taking place on the amendment of the guidelines under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. [3390/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The regulation of dog breeding establishments is a matter for local authorities in accordance with the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. Each local authority must maintain for public inspection a register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area, which must include the name and address of the applicant seeking entry onto the register, the address of the dog breeding establishment and the maximum number of breeding bitches that may be kept at the dog breeding establishment or premises.

Access to information contained in the register, including information sought under Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation, is solely a matter for the relevant local authority, which is obliged to comply with FOI legislation, and I have no function in the matter.

More generally, details of the public consultation currently underway in relation to the draft revised dog breeding establishment guidelines are available on my Department’s website at http://www.housing.gov.ie/review-dog-breeding-establishments.