Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
33. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the recommendations provided to her by the Control of Dogs Working Group; if she will advise when she plans to publish legislative amendments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49555/23]
View answerIn late 2022, Minister McConalogue was tasked by the then Taoiseach, now Tánaiste Micheál Martin to lead a cross-government review of legislation regarding dogs. I met with Minister McConalogue on Monday 9th January and we requested officials to convene a working group on the control of dogs’ issue. This group, which was chaired by DAFM, produced a report in March.
I was pleased to recently announce significant progress in the implementation of recommendations assigned to my Department.
On 9th November, I signed Statutory Instrument 540 of 2023 to increase on-the-spot fines for offences under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, including introducing a graduated fine system, and trebling fines for serious offences from €100 to €300.
I also announced the establishment of a high-level stakeholder group to provide a forum for stakeholder organisations to express their views on issues and possible solutions related to dog control issues. The issue of restricted dog breeds and possible amendments or changes to the current arrangements will be discussed by this group, in order to inform policy development in this area. In addition to these measures, I also announced €2 million in capital funding to support Local Authority Dog Control Services and assist them in meeting increased demands on their services.
The centralised national database of registered Dog Breeding Establishments was put in place and is now available on Gov.ie.
My officials are reviewing the existing legislative provisions under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. Updates to the existing legislation are required and it is proposed that amendments will be made through a Control of Dogs and Dog Breeding Establishment Miscellaneous Bill. I look forward to engaging with stakeholders throughout the legislative process.
