I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 345 together.
Eight transporters of live dogs are authorised by my Department under Council Regulation (EC) No 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 and S.I. No. 675 of 2006 [European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006].
The number of spot checks carried out on authorised dog transporters is set down as follows:
Year
|
Checks
|
2005
|
26 checks
|
2006
|
46 checks
|
2007
|
88 checks
|
2008
|
79 checks
|
2009
|
27 checks
|
Passports are not required in respect of the transport of dogs to Britain. The vast majority of dogs, leaving Ireland, travel to Britain.
Pet passports are not generally checked by our staff as they exit the port for the continent; as that would be the remit of the receiving country. All pet passports are subject to border checks as dogs arrive in this country from abroad.