Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
674. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the need to review his Department’s policies in relation to animal-free research and testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2629/24]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), a state body under the aegis of the Department of Health, 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 Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The latter Directive 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). 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.
Further information in relation to this Directive, and concerning the scope and remit of the HPRA, can be obtained via the Department of Health. In terms of research institutions which are responsible for ensuring the planning and implementation of research which may involve the use of animals, these are individually liable for ensuring all such research is in accordance with all relevant regulations and legislation. I would, or course, expect research agencies to comply with all relevant legislation when framing their policies.
