Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his kind words.

My Department has a close working relationship with welfare charities on all aspects of animal welfare.  The Department has in the past met with the International Greyhound Forum, which includes members of Dogs Trust and the ISPCA, to discuss the issue of greyhound exports. Information received to date from my Department's local offices indicates that no greyhounds have been exported directly from Ireland to China or Pakistan to date this year, and nine greyhounds were exported directly from Ireland to China in 2016.

My Department has access to the figures for exports of dogs from Ireland to other EU member states through the European Commission's trade control and expert system, TRACES.  It does not have figures for the movements of dogs that are, for example, exported to the UK, the most significant destination for Irish dogs, and subsequently exported to a third country.

I am aware that the Deputy has introduced a Private Members' Bill on the subject of the export of greyhounds and to respond directly to the Deputy's query, my Department officials are examining the Bill. Once animal health and welfare standards, set by EU law for trade within the EU, are met, dogs, including greyhounds, may be exported.  Exporters are required to comply with EU law on the protection of animals during transport.  The Irish Greyhound Board advises all owners of greyhounds to only export to destinations that provide the expected levels of greyhound care and management as defined in its code of practice.  We fully endorse this view.

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