Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1165. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health whether his Department will conduct an inquiry into the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland use of a US institute to conduct animal research not in accordance with Irish or EU regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47685/23]
View answerDirective 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes seeks to replace the use of live animals for scientific and educational purposes as soon as it is possible to do so. This legislation applies throughout the European Union and is transposed into Irish law by the European Union (Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 543 of 2012).
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority in respect of the use of animals for scientific purposes within Ireland. Any project on animals conducted in Ireland must be evaluated by the HPRA in accordance with Regulation 31 of S.I. No. 543 of 2012. Projects must be justified from a scientific point of view or required by law, and must be conducted in the most humane and environmentally sensitive manner possible. This legislation does not apply to any research conducted outside of the European Union.
The HPRA and the Minister for Health have no legal remit in this matter, and therefore there is no basis in national or European law to conduct an inquiry into animal research carried out by a US institute.
