Vol. 397 No. 5
121 Mr. M. Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the serious problem that exists in the Finglas and Ballymun areas of Dublin 11 in relation to stray animals; to the fact that none of the previous proposals made by him have materialised; and if he will take action in order to eliminate this problem.
I am aware of the problem referred to and I have taken a number of measures to alleviate it.
A major part of the problem is in relation to the removal of stray animals to the pound. A four wheel drive jeep and a double horsebox have been purchased recently for the use of the Garda in the Dublin metropolitan area to enable them, from within their own resources, to transport wandering animals, particularly wandering horses, to the pound. The use of these vehicles by the Garda will supplement the activities of Dublin Corporation and county council who also of course, have a responsibility in this respect.
Several members of the force attached to the northern division of the Dublin metropolitan area, which includes the Finglas and Ballymun areas, are at present undergoing training in the handling of the new equipment which the Garda authorities expect to have operational within the next few days.
I have approved by ministerial order, with effect from 22 January 1990, significant increases in the pound fees which are imposed on owners when they come to retrieve animals found wandering (Statutory Instrument No. 4 of 1990).
In the case of horses, these charges have gone up from £18.40 to £23 per day. I intend to keep these charges under regular review. I should also point out that the owner will be required to defray the full cost of any expenses incurred in removing the animal to the pound before it is released.
The wandering animals problem is not confined to the north Dublin area although it is acknowledged to be most acute there. The Garda authorities are monitoring the situation closely and are keeping my Department informed of developments.
