Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1. To ask the Taoiseach to report on any ongoing or planned negotiations for the introduction of a new NACE code, designed for classifying businesses and used for statistical purposes, a subset of NACE 0149 breeding of other animals, to uniquely identify dog breeding in Ireland. [15834/25]

Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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This question is to ask the Taoiseach to report on any ongoing or planned negotiations for the introduction of a new NACE code, designed for classifying businesses and used for statistical purposes, a subset of NACE 0149 on breeding of other animals, to uniquely identify dog breeding in Ireland.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As Chief Whip, I am taking this question on behalf of the Taoiseach. I thank the Deputy for the question. The standard classification of industrial activity used by the CSO in Ireland is NACE. This is the statistical classification used, since 1970, for a wide variety of European statistics in the economic, social, environmental, and agricultural domains. Since the last version, NACE Revision 2, was published in 2006, Europe’s economy has evolved significantly, leading to a need to update this classification to reflect changes in business practices and society developments.

For the past few years, Eurostat has worked with its partners in the European statistical system on this update. This revision process has now been completed and the new version, NACE revision 2.1, which was established in 2022, will be used for the production of European statistics from 2025 onwards. NACE revision 2.1 entails several changes, including the introduction of new concepts at all levels of the classification and the restructuring of a number of the existing headings. At the same time, major efforts have been made to maintain the structure of the classifications in all areas that do not explicitly require change based on new concepts. Following this revision process, there is no new NACE classification to uniquely identify dog breeding in Ireland. This industry sector is classified under NACE code 01.48, which relates to the raising of other animals. I can expand on that aspect in my next reply.

Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive reply on this matter. I am raising this subject because we have serious concerns with regard to the management and monitoring of dog breeding in Ireland. We are all well aware of the terrible instances of dog attacks that occurred last year and the specific breeds that then had to be dealt with quite summarily. We need a greater understanding of that industry. My request is to try to shine a light of transparency on this industry in order that we are more aware of the number of dog breeders out there and the level of turnover. At the moment, there are only guesstimate numbers as to the size of this industry. In an Irish context, we are seen among our European partners as one of the less regulated countries in this area. That is not a positive reflection on a country with such a great history in the context of how we manage our agricultural industry, which is where this matter falls within.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Rural and Community Development has the policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Act and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The Dog Breeding Establishments Act provides a regulatory framework for the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and an immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments.

I agree with the Deputy. We have had horrific instances where people have been attacked by dogs. Children have been scarred for life. Under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, local authorities are responsible for all operational activities, such as the registration, inspection and the regulation of dog breeding establishments, including enforcement activities. Updates to the existing legislation are required. It is proposed that amendments will be made through a new control of dogs and dog breeding establishments (miscellaneous provisions) Bill.

A high-level stakeholder group was established in 2024 to consider and make recommendations to strengthen policy on these issues. Retired deputy Garda commissioner Mr. John Twomey is chair of the stakeholder group which comprises members with a broad range of experience. The group has been tasked with considering the policy and legislative matters currently under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development. The dog control stakeholder group is currently reviewing the existing legislative provisions. It is taking account of recommendations from the report of the working group on the control of dogs, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, consultation with stakeholders and experts in the field and the outcomes of the public consultation undertaken by the Department of Rural and Community Development in 2019. Updates to the existing legislation are required and it is proposed that amendments will be made through a control of dogs and dog breeding establishments (miscellaneous provisions) Bill. Items under consideration include the possibility for dog control notices, the inclusion of additional breeds in the restricted dog list and updates to definitions contained in the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. The wide-ranging and complex issues involved here require in-depth analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust but also fit for purpose and implementable. They also have to deliver the best outcomes for communities and the dogs themselves.

In December 2023, a responsible dog ownership leaflet was launched by the former Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, along with the then Minister for agriculture, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, to raise awareness about the responsibilities of dog owners. In early 2024, a major national awareness campaign was launched to alert dog owners to their responsibilities and to raise awareness of the dangers that can be posed to people and to livestock by uncontrolled dogs. The Department has also supported a national training programme for dog wardens to ensure a standardised approach to enforcement and to support shared learnings throughout the country. I hope this response, of which I can provide a copy to the Deputy, will help to support what she is hoping to achieve.

Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I am delighted to hear that an update to the regulations on dog breeding, dog control and the breeds of animals included in that list will be looked at. I ask for the list of dogs currently on the dog control list to be reviewed as well. With some breeds, there have been concerns over the years as to the appropriateness of their inclusion on the list. I look forward to that legislation coming forward.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I will bring the Deputy’s concerns back to the Minister. As she said, there were calls for other dogs to be banned. The dog control stakeholder group is currently reviewing that. As the group has said itself, it is quite complex. The most important thing is that, when the legislation is in place, it is implementable and enforceable.