Vol. 449 No. 7
218 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the large scale of cruelty to animals by a person (details supplied) in County Galway resulting in the death of 15 animals per week. [4307/95]
219 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether his Department monitors farmers who have been found guilty in the courts of cruelty to farm animals; the form such monitoring takes; the sanctions imposed by his Department against such farmers; the steps, if any, his Department takes when there is persistent offending of this kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4308/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.
While my Department ensures in the course of its general operations that the welfare standards set out in the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act, 1984 are observed, questions of cruelty under the Protection of Animals Acts, 1911 and 1965, including any necessary monitoring of those involved, are matters for the Garda Síochána. The Department works with the Garda both in regard to investigating cases and in bringing information to their attention.
I am aware of the specific case referred to by the Deputy which is currently being dealt with by the Circuit Court. The Department fully co-operated with the gardaí in dealing with this case.
