Animal Welfare

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2023

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Ceisteanna (697)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

697. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline in detail the roles played by an organisation (details supplied) and his Department in relation to an alleged case of equine cruelty; the reason no proper excavation of the site in question was carried out at the time to see the carcasses that were buried; the reason the horses involved were not immediately seized when evidence arose of non-compliance with welfare regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9702/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I advise the Deputy that the Irish Thoroughbred (Welfare) Council provides advice to Horse Racing Ireland on welfare issues and has no role in enforcement.

My Department takes animal welfare concerns very seriously and addresses specific cases with a focus on safeguarding the animals affected. To be perfectly clear in relation to this case, the Animal Welfare notice issued to the individual concerned, as described in the Irish Independent article you refer to, was followed up, that Department officials visited the relevant farm on seven separate occasions in 2022 and that this engagement is ongoing.

My Department’s role in both cases referred to in the article is to safeguard animal welfare using enforcement powers provided for in the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

I cannot comment on operational decisions in individual cases, particularly when these matters are not yet concluded.