Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2023
694. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a detailed breakdown in tabular form of the total number of cases brought for prosecutions relating to equine welfare by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9699/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century.
It is important to note that not all investigations lead to prosecution. Many cases are effectively dealt with the use of administrative sanctions for example through the issue of welfare notices
Where appropriate, prosecutions under the Act have been pursued following investigations by authorised officers of my Department, An Garda Síochána and authorised officers of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. These officers investigate matters relating to animal cruelty and neglect and, where the evidence supports such action, a file is prepared and the matter is pursued through the Courts.
The statistics set down below, relate to the total number of equine welfare prosecution cases finalised in each year since 2014, at the suit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
|
Year |
Number of Cases |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
0 |
|
2016 |
1 |
|
2017 |
6 |
|
2018 |
2 |
|
2019 |
1 |
|
2020 |
2 |
|
2021 |
0 |
|
2022 |
2 |
