Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have no evidence concerning the case the Deputy cited but I will ask my officials to liaise with Cavan County Council in that regard. It is the local authority that has been charged with inspections.

I am committed to ensuring the new guidelines will be enacted by June of this year. The recommendations received in regard to the public consultation, which are summarised in my Department, cover a number of areas.

A query was raised on which Department should have legislative responsibility and whether it should be the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which is involved in animal welfare and which has veterinary officers. Questions were asked about requested changes that could potentially be taken on board in regard to redrafting the guidelines, changes that would not be possible to take on board under the legislative framework, and areas generally relating to dog welfare issues that are outside the scope of the original consultation. The working group involved will have its next meeting on 23 February. It operates under the auspices of the County and City Management Association.

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