Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I want to address an important issue which affects communities across the countryside, namely, the need for robust dog control legislation. It is required for many reasons, including protecting our livestock. Robust dog control legislation can protect our vulnerable livestock, such as sheep, from being attacked and killed by dogs. These attacks not only result in financial losses for farmers, but also cause immense suffering for animals. Such legislation would ensure public safety. Implementing dog control laws would help to prevent dogs attacking people, which can lead to severe injuries, and even fatalities, by holding dog owners accountable for the behaviour of their pets. It would also promote responsible dog ownership. All-inclusive dog control legislation will encourage responsible ownership practices, such as training, socialisation and the proper containment of dogs. It would make sure that dogs are traceable with microchipping, licensing, DNA databases and educating dog owners about their responsibilities and the potential consequences for irresponsible behaviour.

We have a responsibility in the House to promote and facilitate animal welfare. By preventing dog attacks on sheep, we will ensure the safety of our livestock. The devastating effects of these attacks not only results in economic losses for farmers, but also the immense consequences for those who witness such an attack. I have listened to farmers who have stopped sheep farming altogether because they cannot take it any more. They cannot mentally or financially take the hit of witnessing animals being tortured to death, brutally attacked and ripped to shreds.

We have to take proactive measures to protect our sheep and prevent these incidents from occurring over and over again. There is a commitment in the programme for Government in this regard. We have to implement stricter dog control laws. Those laws could help farmers by ensuring that they have the right to ban dogs from their land and commonage. In the Cooley Mountains in County Louth, farmers are tortured and run ragged trying to protect their sheep. Dog owners are not adhering to signage and do not care about farmers asking for no dogs in the mountains. They do not care about animal welfare. They are selfishly bringing dogs into areas with sheep and do not care about the damage they do. Quite often, they have the audacity to get aggressive when confronted about these issues. I find it absolutely shocking that people continuously do this. They do it because there are very few consequences. There are not enough dog wardens, and they do not have enough resources or powers. This has to change.

Earlier today, I spoke to Niamh and Eamonn Monahan, from Inniskeen, County Monaghan, who have had enough. After four serious dog attacks over the past five years, they have been incredibly vocal in local and national media about this issue. The photos of what the dogs did to their sheep are so graphic that one would genuinely think a bear had attacked them. They are absolutely horrific. Even the sheep that survived had complications when giving birth. A vet had to be on hand to perform C-sections and breech births occurred due to wombs being twisted. Nine of their lambs died before they were born. This is all down to the worry inflicted on the poor wee animals during the chase.

Farmers have had enough. Niamh Monahan conducted a survey which asked people about their experiences, to which 558 farmers replied. Of those, 409 had experienced dog attacks, including 88% of hill farmers and 80% of lowland farmers. They are asking for greater awareness for dog owners and the damage their pets can do. I ask the Minister of State to show the Bonzo advertisement on our screens again. It was really effective and most of us of a certain age will remember it. Just because it is old does not mean it is not effective. It was important, and showed that even the most placid dog can become a ruthless killer. We need to have dogs DNA tested when they are getting microchipped. A microchip needs to be connected to a licence to ensure we have a greater chance of checking dogs.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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Ar an gcéad dul síos, gabhaim mo bhuíochas don Teachta McGreehan as an rún seo a chur os comhair na Dála. I thank Deputy McGreehan for raising the matter of dog control legislation. I share the Deputy's sentiments. She has very eloquently expressed the concern of many people across our country. As she said, that 88% of hill farmers have had their animals attacked is an extraordinary statistic.

When we served in the Seanad last year, the Deputy introduced the Control of Dogs (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. As Members will know, the Government did not oppose the Bill on that occasion because all of us are in agreement that more robust dog control legislation is required. As part of the programme for Government, as the Deputy said, the Government has set out how it intends to provide for an enhanced approach to dog control issues. In this regard, all legislation and policy in regard to the control of dogs, dog welfare and dog breeding establishments will rest with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Discussions are ongoing between my Department and that Department to implement the transfer of functions in a timely manner. In the meantime, I am fully committed, as is the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to progressing work in this area.

The Deputy is correct; this is about responsible dog ownership, education and raising awareness. She referenced an advertisement. It is also the case that a pet is not just for Christmas. The recent introduction of a ban on XL Bully type dogs last July, in the interests of public safety following a number of horrific attacks, was a significant measure to enhance the control of dangerous dogs in our communities. The ban was introduced in two stages in order to give XL Bully-type dog owners who wished to keep their dogs time to obtain a certificate of exemption. There was a four-month period between October last year and February this year where these owners were able to apply for a certificate of exemption. In total, over 1,700 applications were received by local authorities for exemption certificates. Since 1 February this year, it has been illegal to own an XL Bully-type dog without a certificate of exemption issued by a local authority in which the dog resides.

Regarding developing more robust legislation, the Government will continue to support the ongoing discussions that take place at the dog control stakeholder group. The group was established in 2024 to consider and make recommendations to strengthen policy and legislative matters in regard to all dog control issues. It is independently chaired by retired deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey. It comprises members with a broad range of expertise.

It is also important to note that the various issues that have been raised regarding dog control legislation are wide-ranging and complex. They require in-depth analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust but are also fit for purpose, can be implemented and will deliver the best outcomes for communities and dogs.

Deputy McGreehan has spoken very eloquently about animal welfare and the concerns of farmers in many parts of the country. She referred to the Cooley Peninsula in her constituency and spoke about the worry of the chase for animals. All of us who have pets and are involved in different parts of agriculture have to be concerned and support the thrust of Deputy McGreehan's Bill and what she is trying to do here. I commend her for bringing this issue to the attention of the House.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State and acknowledge the work done in the past Dáil regarding the banning of dogs. I also thank him for acknowledging the Bill I introduced in the Seanad. I believe it is a good template for what we can do and work off.

I hope the Department of agriculture can take over this entire brief and for it not to be across the three Departments as it is at present. We need awareness and accountability with penalties. We need resourcing of dog wardens and to give them more powers. Most of all, we must ensure the welfare of both the animal, that is, the dog and the people it attacks is protected. It is not the dog's fault it runs after, scares, frightens, plays chase or attacks and eats a sheep. It is playing a game and acting on its basic instincts. We must remember it is human responsibility here and that is what we can legislate for and do a good job on.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy McGreehan again and I share her view. It is important for dog owners to be aware of their responsibilities, not just for the public but also for their dogs. The Deputy is right; accountability, awareness and human responsibility must work in tandem.

In 2024, a major national awareness campaign entitled, "It's not your dog's fault, it's yours", was launched by the Department to alert dog owners to their responsibilities and to raise awareness of the dangers posed to people and livestock by uncontrolled dogs. My Department intends to launch a similar campaign in the coming weeks to reinforce responsible dog ownership from the perspective of harm to both humans and other animals.

Last year, my Department provided €2 million in capital funding to local authorities to expand and improve the dog pounds and dog warden facilities in addition to €2 million provided in 2023. In 2024, funding of €2 million to support resourcing of dog warden services for this year was also announced. This funding recognises the increased demands in the area of dog control and the need to ensure resources on the ground to enforce legislation. My Department also worked closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to publish a plain-language leaflet informing dog owners of their legal obligations. This leaflet was distributed last year to every dog warden, local authority and veterinary surgery in the country in addition to more than 100 animal welfare charities. I commend Deputy McGreehan on her work. We all have a responsibility and duty of care and I hope we can work together to ensure we get the outcome we deserve and all wish to see happen.