Animal Welfare

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 May 2014

Wednesday, 7 May 2014

Ceisteanna (172)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

172. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the National Parks and Wildlife Service's licensing unit for the granting of licences to kill pine martens comes under the remit of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and not under that of his Department; the level of communication and information sharing that exists between the two Departments in respect of animal issues; his views on whether his Department should oversee all animal welfare issues as emphasised in the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20580/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The issuing of licences for the culling of pine martins is administered by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Wildlife Act 1976 because the issues involved in this matter relate to the conservation of wild animals and protection of the our living Heritage. There are no proposals to alter current arrangements in this regard. The relevant officials of the Departments of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Agriculture, Food, and the Marine remain in contact regarding issues of mutual concern.