Vol. 399 No. 11
59 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the existence of groups organising cock-fighting in this State; if there is any section of the Garda Síochána with responsibility for dealing with such activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no evidence available to them to suggest the existence of groups organising cock-fighting in the State. If the Deputy, or indeed any person, has information relating to any such activity it should, of course, be brought to the attention of the Garda authorities so that the matter can be fully investigated.
I am also informed that as organised cock-fighting is not known to constitute a particular problem, no section in the Garda Síochána has specific responsibility for detecting breaches of the law in relation to it. A responsibility rests on each member, however, to enforce the provisions of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911, which make such activity an offence.
