Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Andrew Doyle for raising this issue. The role of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government relates primarily to dog licensing and controls on dangerous dogs in the interest of the protection of the public and other animals, i.e., the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 along with associated regulations.

In the light of a number of reports about substandard "puppy farms", the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government undertook in 2006 to consider regulation of dog breeding establishments in the interest of animal welfare. A working group was established to review the management of dog breeding establishments nationally. The group, which included a cross section of people with professional and welfare involvement with dogs, produced a majority report for the then Minister with a set of recommendations. However, three minority reports were also presented by bodies represented on the working group. In light of that, a period of public consultation followed and while there was not universal agreement with the recommendations, the then Minister concluded that there was sufficient agreement that they should be implemented.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is currently finalising a set of draft regulations in accordance with current control of dogs legislation which will give statutory effect to most of the recommendations contained in the majority report of the working group. This majority report contained a set of recommendations which are set out as follows. It was recommended that dog breeding establishments be defined based on the number of female dogs with breeding potential present on the premises. A dog breeding establishment would be defined as "a premises containing more than five female dogs, aged over four months, with breeding potential". In respect of the funding of the regulatory system, it was recommended that the new regulatory regime be self-financing and be funded by increasing the general dog licence fee for dogs kept in breeding establishments. In respect of permanent identification, it was recommended that all dogs kept in breeding establishments, including their offspring, be electronically microchipped to ensure traceability and assist the enforcement of the registration system. The group also recommended that greyhounds be exempted where they have already met the Irish Greyhound Board's identification requirements. In respect of the transportation and export of dogs, it was recommended that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food implement regulations for the transportation of consignments of dogs within the State and for export. These regulations would cover transportation standards, minimum space requirements, ventilation, route plans, journey durations, feeding and watering intervals. It was agreed that every dog owner and dog breeder has a "duty of care" in respect of animals kept by them and it was recommended that this be enshrined in all animal welfare legislation. In respect of lead-in time, it was recommended that the new dog breeding registration system be introduced on a phased basis using an improvement notice model to avoid the creation of a surplus of dogs caused by the closure of substandard dog breeding establishments.

Since the working group's report was issued, the Department has undertaken extensive consultation with relevant central and local authorities and a large number of interested organisations. In finalising the regulations, a comprehensive round of discussions took place between the Department and a range of veterinary, dog welfare and other interested bodies. Guidelines will also be introduced in conjunction with the regulations which will focus strongly on the welfare requirements of dogs in these establishments. These guidelines have been extensively informed by discussions with, and valuable input from, leading veterinary and animal welfare organisations.

Certification of registration of dog breeding establishments will be undertaken by local authorities as part of their dog control responsibilities. It is intended that a registration fee graded in accordance with the size of the establishment will apply in order to finance the scheme.

In general, while there remains some opposition to the recommendations, there is general support for regulation in this area. It is a complex area with a very large and diverse number of interested parties and stakeholders. It is not considered practical to introduce interim arrangements for the regulation of puppy farms in advance of these new regulations and I understand that it is the Minister's intention to finalise matters in the coming weeks. The regulations represent one aspect of reform in regard to dog control. Other issues raised in the course of discussions with interested parties will be examined with a view to introducing additional reforms in the future.

See this speech in context