Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 May 2023
202. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will set up a nationwide animal cruelty register to help authorities identify breaches of bans on keeping animals and prevent those with animal cruelty convictions from working in environments where they have access to animals. [20911/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2013 Animal Health and Welfare Act provides an effective framework to protect the welfare of animals in Ireland, including through prosecutions for breaches of the Act. Upon conviction, the courts may make an order banning an offender from keeping animals, among other penalties.
Court proceedings are carried out publicly and animal welfare proceedings are frequently reported in the local and national press. Given that this transparent system is already in place there are no plans to set up a nationwide animal cruelty register.
My Department operates a confidential helpline for reporting instances of animal cruelty, and any such reports, including of breaches of court orders relating to animal welfare, are followed up as appropriate by my officials.
