Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The welfare of greyhounds is regulated by the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 and the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2013. The latter applies to all animals, whether kept for commercial, domestic, sport, show or other purposes, and contains robust measures against their ill-treatment. It provides that a person having an animal in his or her possession or control must safeguard and not threaten the health and welfare of that animal. The Act also provides for increased levels of penalties.

The position regarding the export of dogs, including greyhounds, is as follows. The majority of dogs that are moved from Ireland go to the UK and trade within the EU of dogs, including greyhounds, is governed by EU law. Dogs moved to another EU country from Ireland must be accompanied by an EU pet passport, be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination. The premises exporting dogs must be registered with my Department in advance of the export. Before travel, dogs must undergo a clinical examination by an authorised veterinarian, who must verify that the animals show no obvious signs of disease and are fit to be transported. Dogs must also have a health certificate issued by a Department veterinarian. These procedures, including vaccination, ensure that only healthy dogs over the age of 15 weeks are allowed to be exported. Exporters must comply with EU law on the protection of animals during transport, while the transport of animals by air is governed by the International Air Transport Association, IATA. In this context, I am aware that a number of airlines do not transport commercial consignments of greyhounds.

Bord na gCon, which is responsible for the governance, regulation and development of the greyhound industry, has stated that it does not support the export of greyhounds to destinations that do not conform with the standards in the Animal Health and Welfare Act, the Welfare of Greyhounds Act or its own code of practice and standards. This is a view that I fully endorse.

My Department has a close working relationship with animal welfare charities on all aspects of animal welfare. Officials of the Department have met the welfare members of the International Greyhound Forum, which includes the Dogs Trust, the ISPCA and Bord na gCon, to consider issues surrounding the export of greyhounds.

I am aware that Deputy Broughan introduced a Private Members' Bill to amend the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 last year.

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