Parliamentary questions

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

491. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a report (details supplied) on the greyhound industry will be available; and the reason for the delay in its publication. [51673/19]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

46. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether China and Pakistan are among the countries that do not meet welfare standards here; if he and the Irish Greyhound Board are opposed to direct or indirect exports to these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48989/19]

Horse Racing Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

48. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses injured and killed at racecourses and point-to-point events here to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48988/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

371. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to end grants to the greyhound industry in view of an opinion poll (details supplied); if he will review the allocation to the industry in view of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49004/19]

Bord na gCon

Maureen O'Sullivan

372. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Irish Greyhound Board is attempting to hide incidents involving dogs falling and suffering injuries by withholding race footage from its website (details supplied); if he will direct it to publish the footage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49005/19]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

373. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an Irish greyhound that is believed to have suffered whippings has been rescued from Spain; if he will recommend an end to exports to Spain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49006/19]

Bord na gCon Staff

Maureen O'Sullivan

191. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of employees as of November 2019 that are employed by the Irish Greyhound Board; the breakdown of roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46872/19]

Greyhound Industry Data

Maureen O'Sullivan

201. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 15 October 2019, the number of runners, greyhounds injured, greyhounds that died or were put to sleep and the causes of the injuries and deaths in each greyhound track for the period 1 January 2019 to date in 2019, by month in tabular form. [43886/19]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

59. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 2 October 2019, the way in which he, as Minister with responsibility for animal welfare, can address the issue of horse-drawn carriages from the welfare perspective as highlighted by many groups that care for horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41886/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

71. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he can ensure that a key objective of the Irish Greyhound Board’s strategic plan 2018-22, which is to maintain animal welfare at the centre of the industry, will be met; the way in which the greyhound care fund is addressing the welfare and health issues of greyhounds. [41885/19]

Greyhound Industry Data

Maureen O'Sullivan

79. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the deaths and injuries of greyhounds at tracks here from 1 January 2019 to date. [41934/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

96. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1418 of 6 September 2019, if his attention has been drawn to the issue that the claim that a greyhound suffered a heart attack at Shelbourne Park is at variance with an eye witness report (details supplied). [41935/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

97. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds buried in the grounds of Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium; if this practice was approved by the Irish Greyhound Board; if dogs continue to be buried there; and the procedure for incidents involving dogs that die at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium and other IGB tracks. [41936/19]

Hare Coursing Regulation

Maureen O'Sullivan

161. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether live hare coursing has a place in a modern society in view of the grave concerns over greyhound welfare in general across Ireland raised over the past number of months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37893/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

1418. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a post-mortem has been carried out on a dog (details supplied); if not, the reason therefor; and if a regulation that post-mortems be carried out on all dogs that die at greyhound tracks to be carried out by an independent vet will be considered. [35854/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

74. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he can address the issues raised in a programme (details supplied) regarding the treatment of greyhounds here; and his views on whether the time has come to take robust action on exports of greyhounds and to examine a complete ban on live hare coursing. [28122/19]

Hare Coursing

Maureen O'Sullivan

84. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the suspension of live hare coursing until after the findings of the EU Directive 92/43/EEC report due to be published later in 2019, in view of the questions raised over the status of the Irish hare; if his Department has consulted with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht regarding the effects of coursing on hare population trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28123/19]

Hare Coursing Regulation

Maureen O'Sullivan

256. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider replacing the use of live hares with drag hares at coursing events as a matter of urgency in view of the cruelty involved and the fact that mechanical drag hares are already used in greyhound racing events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24076/19]

Hare Coursing

Maureen O'Sullivan

6. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the minutes of the annual meeting of the hare coursing monitoring committee; if he is satisfied with the make-up of the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16674/19]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

12. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he can address concerns of residents close to fox hunting events regarding encroachments into residential areas; and the measures taken to address this reality to date. [20110/19]

Fur Farming

Maureen O'Sullivan

27. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the conditions in fur farms here; the way in which he can address the concerns of groups highly critical of this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20109/19]

Gambling Legislation

Maureen O'Sullivan

33. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views with regard to children being present at horse racing and greyhound racing tracks in view of the trends of problem gambling and the exposure to persons under the legal age to gambling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14340/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

89. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if progress been made by the Irish Greyhound Board towards creating a separate body for the registration of racing greyhounds in order that owners of greyhounds interested in track racing only will no longer have to register with the governing body for hare coursing. [13950/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

98. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a media report (details supplied) that greyhound racing here is perceived as lacking integrity in view of concerns such as doping and irregular betting being made by high profile racing sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13949/19]

Greyhound Industry Data

Maureen O'Sullivan

996. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider publishing yearly lists outlining the number of greyhounds exported and the countries they were exported to; his views on whether this would be a welcome step for transparency in view of the concerns of welfare groups and past reports of Irish greyhounds being exported to countries with no animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13951/19]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

997. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a review of a case (details supplied) drawn to his attention by a person will be undertaken; and if the original complaints by the person were investigated fully at the time of complaint. [13952/19]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

184. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the microchipping of dogs; if the legislation in this regard is being enforced; and the number of warnings or summonses issued in this regard. [10086/19]

Dog Breeding Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

185. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the guidelines and legislation on the crossbreeding of dogs. [10087/19]

Horse Racing Ireland

Maureen O'Sullivan

53. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he had discussions with an organisation (details supplied) prior to its decision in 2016 to sell broadcast rights to a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52111/18]

Horse and Greyhound Fund

Maureen O'Sullivan

518. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on subsidies to industries which promote gambling and its consequences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5730/19]

Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Maureen O'Sullivan

519. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to address the considerable carbon admissions resulting from agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5731/19]

Fur Farming

Maureen O'Sullivan

520. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a ban on fur farming will be introduced here in 2019 (details supplied). [5732/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

521. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 10 October 2018, if the matter raised has been investigated; and if so, if he will communicate the results of the investigation in relation to the person. [5733/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

522. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that greyhounds born here are continuing to end up in China which has no animal welfare laws; if the matter will be investigated; and if action will be taken against the greyhound owners involved. [5734/19]

Horse Racing Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

523. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures put in place by his Department and an organisation (details supplied) to ensure that no devices such as one publicised in Australia recently are being used in tracks or horse trainers' premises here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5735/19]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

524. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether fox hunting is unacceptable here (details supplied); and if legislation will be introduced to outlaw same. [5736/19]

Hare Coursing

Maureen O'Sullivan

12. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the inherent cruelty involved in live hare coursing; and his views on whether Ireland’s reputation is being damaged by allowing this blood sport to continue in the face of international bans on the activity. [51049/18]

Wildlife Regulations

Maureen O'Sullivan

53. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with an association (details supplied) to ensure there will no repetition of an incident in which a hunt entered a residential area and endangered public safety in Macroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51047/18]

Greyhound Industry Data

Maureen O'Sullivan

257. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of injured and killed dogs racing at greyhound tracks here over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51086/18]

Wildlife Conservation

Maureen O'Sullivan

286. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to initiate an investigation into whether myxomatosis has already been found in hares by coursing club personnel, veterinary personnel that attend some coursing meetings, wildlife rangers attached to the National Parks and Wildlife Service or by other persons involved with wildlife conservation or hunting activities; and the veterinary or other measures that will be implemented to protect hares here from myxomatosis. [44414/18]

Control of Horses

Maureen O'Sullivan

8. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 592 of 18 September 2018, if he is satisfied that local authorities are enforcing the Control of Horses Act 1996 adequately, his views on having multiple horse wardens with a particular focus on problem areas for horse abuse and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41482/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

27. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if exemptions will be removed from blood sports from the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, in view of the suffering and death caused to hares and foxes during coursing and foxhunting activities. [41483/18]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

183. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if action is being taken, including the withdrawal of an animal transportation licence in relation to a person (details supplied). [41513/18]

Fur Farming

Maureen O'Sullivan

184. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a ban on fur farming will be introduced in 2018 in view of the growing level of support for an end to fur farming and the increasing list of countries banning it. [41514/18]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

185. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the subsidising of greyhound tracks with public funds will cease in view of falling attendances at greyhound tracks, the significant financial losses at tracks and the ongoing injuries and deaths suffered by greyhounds. [41515/18]

Animal Culls

Maureen O'Sullivan

186. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a badger vaccination programme announced earlier in 2018 has commenced; and his plans to end the culling of badgers which has caused an estimated 120,000 deaths to date. [41516/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

592. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, due to the high level of ill treatment of horses, the appointment of horse wardens will be considered; and if the appointments could be a condition of the funding for animal welfare to local authorities. [37251/18]

Equine Passports

Maureen O'Sullivan

593. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts and work being undertaken to ensure all horses are microchipped and allocated passports; and if the use of scanners being available to An Garda Síochána to assist them in ensuring the law is being complied with in respect of this issue will be considered. [37252/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

594. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of prosecutions for cruelty to horses in counties Tipperary and Limerick. [37253/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

595. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he is ensuring that the five freedoms as expressed in the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 are being complied with for horses, especially for those families and persons that have multiple numbers of horses. [37254/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

21. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 26 April 2018, the number of complaints received through his Department's hotline regarding hunting clubs; the actions that were taken; and his views on whether a more resolute response is needed in view of the number of breaches by hunt clubs and the serious risk to the public. [31462/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

28. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he addressed welfare concerns of animals including horse and greyhound racing during the current hot weather. [31461/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

455. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns for the welfare of mink that are caged in fur farms in view of the recent weather; if he will arrange for veterinary inspectors to visit these farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31538/18]

Animal Slaughtering Data

Maureen O'Sullivan

456. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if meat production will be increased here in view of concerns regarding the conditions of live animal exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31539/18]

Animal Diseases

Maureen O'Sullivan

457. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the extensive consultations with farmers and a company (details supplied) carried out regarding the bovine viral diarrhoea, BVD, programme; his views on the fact that a small percentage of farmers were contacted and consulted; and the details of the €75 million benefit to the farming industry from the BVD programme. [31540/18]

Afforestation Programme

Maureen O'Sullivan

699. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in reviewing the effects of the heatwave with the local authorities, the planting of greater numbers of shade giving, soil protecting trees in public parks and in newer public parks especially will be promoted; if public bodies such a Waterways Ireland and the transport companies will be encouraged to co-operate with local authorities to encourage more tree planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31013/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

23. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to numerous incidents whereby fox hunts have converged on populated areas and estates causing danger to the public; his views on whether legislation is needed in view of the fact that the code of conduct holds no provision for sanctions; and his further views on following the UK example and banning this practice. [18187/18]

Fallen Animal Collection Scheme

Maureen O'Sullivan

43. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an audit will be conducted regarding the records from fallen animal companies, that is, businesses that collect deceased farm animals, comparing the past five years (details supplied) with the previous five years; the number of newborn calves that have died from scour and pneumonia, BVD related, during those two periods, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18188/18]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

179. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on allocating inspectors from his Department to monitor the welfare of greyhounds; his views on the fact that many animal welfare organisations do not accept the Irish Greyhound Board as an impartial inspector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18180/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

180. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 73 of 3 October 2017, his views on whether animal welfare inspectors should be present on all transports of live animals as opposed to being present occasionally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18181/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

181. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he is addressing the continued transport of Irish greyhounds for commercial purposes to countries in Asia and elsewhere that have no animal welfare standards. [18182/18]

Fur Farming

Maureen O'Sullivan

182. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the standards of fur farms here in view of inspectors' reports (details supplied); his views on abolishing fur farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18183/18]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

183. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that a greyhound that tested positive for cocaine on three occasions has been nominated for the greyhound of the year award; his further views on whether doping is a significant problem in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18184/18]

Control of Dogs

Maureen O'Sullivan

184. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the condition of dog pounds here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18185/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

80. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the code of conduct relating to fox hunting; the sanctions if there are breaches; if legislation will be introduced in view of the incident in Macroom on 26 December 2017 when a hunt entered a housing estate raising issues around public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6792/18]

Dog Breeding Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

88. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to combat the level of negligence and breaching of animal welfare standards within the industry of puppy farming that has been well documented by organisations and persons in view of his statement on 3 October 2017 in which he stated that puppy farming is a stain on the public relationship with animals; and if the industry has been referred to the Revenue Commissioners [6793/18]

Brexit Negotiations

Maureen O'Sullivan

365. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be an exemption in the Brexit agreement regarding transport of approved rescue dogs from both jurisdictions; and if this could be facilitated between Ireland and the UK. [53173/17]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

942. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to intervene and establish strict regulations for greyhound owners with regard to exporting dogs to countries in which they have been documented as suffering abuse and cruelty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46657/17]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

943. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to allow external welfare officers or welfare officers appointed from his Department to inspect greyhound kennels in view of the fact that to date the welfare officers are appointed by the IGB which is not a transparent system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46658/17]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

292. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding that will be spent on welfare related issues in view of the fact that €16 million was provided to the Irish Greyhound Board in budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44834/17]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

70. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he plans to deal with the cases of illegal doping of dogs, particularly greyhounds; and his plans to apply transparency on doping in the greyhound industry, for example, publishing the details of OOC tests and supporting unannounced visits. [41647/17]

Live Exports

Maureen O'Sullivan

73. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he can address the animal welfare issues apparent in the live transportation of animals, especially the export to countries that lack animal protection laws. [41646/17]

Horse Racing Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

464. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has satisfied himself with the performance of Horse Racing Ireland and the Turf Club regarding the disclosure of funds in the pension fund as reported recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41622/17]

Horse Racing Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

465. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to take action regarding the correspondence sent by a person (details supplied) and forwarded to him as advised regarding serious neglect and treatment of animals; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that GSOC has been contacted regarding the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41623/17]

Harbours and Piers Development

Maureen O'Sullivan

11. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the harbour works on Cape Clear Island, County Cork, will be completed. [28158/17]

Bord na gCon Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

33. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he approved the €23 million of Exchequer funding that went to Bord na gCon in the State purchase of the former Harold's Cross greyhound stadium; his views on whether the agreed price was value for money for the land in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28157/17]

Horse Racing Ireland

Maureen O'Sullivan

307. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there has been an external or internal investigation into Horse Racing Ireland and if individuals have been removed from the board. [18614/17]

Food Safety Standards Regulation

Maureen O'Sullivan

465. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the dangers of spreading dog faeces on tillage fields was included in the 2008 report by the Food Safety Authority; his plans to investigate the potential health risks of spreading dog faeces on tillage fields with regard to dog breeding establishment owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15011/17]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

18. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider examining the way to co-ordinate the roles of various Departments (details supplied) in relation to animal welfare issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12195/17]

Bord na gCon

Maureen O'Sullivan

33. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of the loans, funding and-or payments paid out by Bord na gCon to the Irish Coursing Club or any of its affiliated coursing clubs; and the numbers employed in Bord na gCon and their roles. [12194/17]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

7. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Question No. 563 of 13 December 2016 and in view of the huge drop in public interest and race meetings, his views on whether it is acceptable to support the greyhound industry with Government funding; and his views on whether funding should be cut in line with the drop in figures attending this sport. [4876/17]

Environmental Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

40. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reduce packaging on meat and dairy products on sale in supermarkets and local grocers here as has occurred in other European countries. [4877/17]

Bord na gCon Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

303. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding his Department gave to Bord na gCon in each year from 2005 to 2016, in tabular form. [4804/17]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

563. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine , in view of the announcement of significant funding for the greyhound industry, if he will provide the attendance figures at greyhound meetings for each of the years 2005 to 2015 and the number of active owners of racing greyhounds here. [40065/16]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

36. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on calls by animal welfare groups to decrease, if not cease, financing the greyhound industry, which is seeing a significant decrease in public interest, and instead invest in industries which do not support cruel treatment of animals in the name of sport. [32206/16]

Departmental Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

531. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Turf Club incurred legal costs that were paid for by his Department; the amount of these legal costs; when covering these legal costs ceased; and the reasons for ceasing. [32107/16]

Hare Coursing Regulation

Maureen O'Sullivan

39. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that coursing meetings are automatically cancelled in the event of adverse weather conditions in the interest of animal welfare and safety and as a condition when granting coursing licences. [19870/16]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

56. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to intervene in the crisis surrounding Irish greyhounds being transported to China; and if he accepts that he has a specific role to play in prohibiting Irish greyhounds from being transported to countries where they face cruelty and abuse, given his funding of Bord na gCon. [14518/16]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

73. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 22 March 2016, his views on seized horses and that one horse died while in his custody while legal proceedings continued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14519/16]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

556. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had any contact from persons both here and internationally surrounding the exporting of greyhounds to China; and his position on the matter. [14698/16]

Horse Racing Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

557. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to investigate a report sent to him by a person (details supplied) regarding a very serious allegation of wrongdoing; and his views on the matter with particular relevance to section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act. [14699/16]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

37. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a company (details supplied) seeking greyhounds from here, in view of the decision by the Australian Government to ban animal transports to this company; and if he will ban the transport of greyhounds from this country to that racing track, where they are open to abuse and exploitation. [7838/16]

Equine Data

Maureen O'Sullivan

160. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations in place regarding the seizure of animals when in co-operation with An Garda Síochána his Department officials make seizures of horses; his views that at the particular seizure of 29 horses as part of Operation Storm on 27 February 2016, there was a serious breach in guidelines and regulations by the non-segregated transport of sexually mature males and females, breeding stallions not being kept separate while being transported and animals of significantly different sizes not being transported separately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4820/16]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

24. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will condemn the legal and illegal treatment of hares, in the name of sport; if a debate is required on this draconian cruel form of entertainment; if there are real opportunities to stop animal cruelty while retaining jobs, through humane versions of coursing. [39538/15]

Control of Dogs

Maureen O'Sullivan

35. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on concerns that many people are advertising their services as dog trainers with no certification or qualification in the handling and training of dogs, and in many cases are paying no taxation, as they are not licensed; his plans to regulate specifically for dog training schools, and for persons who are profiting from dog owners with no regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41388/15]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

216. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if hares were sick or dying at Cashel Coursing Club in County Tipperary, resulting in the cancellation of meetings on 10 and 11 October 2015; if post mortems were carried out, and further to the official coursing club website stating unsuitable ground, if he will provide details of the unsuitable ground conditions. [39537/15]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

259. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to SI No. 128 of 2014, why he is continuing to allow the docking of the tails of hunting dogs, a mutilation considered so unethical that the Veterinary Council of Ireland prohibits vets from performing it. [41548/15]

Horse Racing Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

276. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 101 of 8 July 2015, if he will confirm that Horse Racing Ireland took the claims of grievance seriously and that it investigated the allegations in a fair way; if it had any dialogue with the Turf Club regarding the very serious allegations made by the person concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40243/15]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

32. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current regulations for dog shelters, boarding kennels, dog breeders; and behaviourists and trainers working with dogs; if he considers there are gaps in the regulations which are causing poor standards in the treatment of dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34209/15]

Food Safety Standards

Maureen O'Sullivan

382. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that in the preparation of meat, including in the preparation of halal and kosher meats, all standards are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34337/15]