Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Boylan for bringing forward this legislation. At the outset I should say that the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, intended to take this item. I offered to replace him because the bell has been ringing non-stop in the Dáil and I wanted to facilitate the smooth passage of the debate and look after the welfare of my fellow Senators. That is why he is not here.

It is worth acknowledging that the Seanad, this wonderful Chamber, has discussed issues in relation to animal welfare on many occasions, as mentioned by Senators Hoey and Higgins. It is welcome that we discuss these issues. Like Senator Kyne, I acknowledge the work of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine in this area, and the input of the Senators on the committee.

I acknowledge the value that dogs bring to homes and families across Ireland. They are fantastic and loyal companions, and valuable friends to many people around the country. I was heartened to hear Senator Boylan tell us about her rescue dog. Indeed, I have two rescue pets at home, who are perhaps watching the football: Penny the whippet and Millie the lurcher. They certainly bring great joy and love to our family. I concur with the wonderful value that dogs, particularly rescue dogs, can bring to people's lives.

It is clear that we need to do more work to strengthen the enforcement of the legislation that is already in place, as Senator McGreehan and others have pointed out. Indeed, the events in Wexford and Moneygall are absolutely horrifying. We have to take every step to ensure the existing policy and the legislation are being implemented and enforced. That has been highlighted by a number of Senators. That is why the Taoiseach has asked my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to take a leading role in this area and to examine what shortfalls there are regarding issues around the control of dogs, dog welfare, licensing, breeding, microchipping and policing, both nationally and at the local authority level. Perhaps we can learn from our colleagues in Northern Ireland, as Senator Ó Donnghaile highlighted. We should look at reaching out and engaging with them.

Senator Boyhan articulated well the cross-governmental nature of this challenge because the responsibilities for ensuring the welfare of our dogs and other animals lie with three different Departments. First and foremost, my Department is fully committed to promoting responsible pet ownership. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has begun that review process. He has tasked senior officials in my Department with scoping out where the responsibility around dog microchipping, welfare and pet sales can link in with a broader framework for a wider interdepartmental effort to improve co-ordination and effectiveness in this area. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Rural and Community Development have also been in contact in this regard. As Senator Boyhan highlighted, the Minister for Rural and Community Development holds responsibility for the Control of Dogs Act 1986 and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, while the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Department has responsibility for local authorities, which have a role to play in the area. That highlights further the cross-governmental challenge involved.

In early 2022, the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Community and Rural Development launched an awareness campaign highlighting the responsibility to dog owners in relation to dog control and sheep worrying.Last year the Department launched Ireland's first national animal welfare strategy, Working Together for Animal Welfare: Ireland’s Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025. This strategy sets out broad principles as to how we will improve animal welfare in Ireland over the coming years. It will be relevant to the review the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, will lead in the coming weeks. One of the commitments in my Department's animal welfare strategy is to establish an advisory council on companion animal welfare. That council is now up and running with independent members with a range of expertise and experience having been appointed. The council has met on several occasions this year. It will advise on policy matters and, where appropriate, will issue guidelines and recommendations in relation to companion animals, including on some of the issues under discussion here this evening. The council is scheduled to meet again tomorrow. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and I look forward to receiving the group's recommendations.

My Department has primary responsibility for the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015. Data received on compliance is encouraging. According to the latest figures available, 124,408 dog microchips were registered during 2020. This represents a 24% increase on the total number of dog microchip registrations in 2019.

On the safe sale and supply of dogs, my Department has introduced SI 681/2019, which requires anyone selling or supplying pets to keep records, including a record of from whom the pet was obtained, and to whom the pet was sold or supplied. These regulations also prohibit the advertisement of a dog for sale or supply without providing minimum information about the seller, origin and age of the dog, and its microchip number. This applies to all forms of advertising. Unfortunately, the reality is that not all dog owners act responsibly. It certainly does happen, unfortunately, that some dogs are often kept in conditions without adequate space, exercise, or socialisation, as has been highlighted tonight. This can lead to problems with temperament. The knock-on effect of this is that it creates a welfare problem, not only for the dogs concerned but possibly a risk then to other animals and perhaps to people, if the poor treatment and management of these dogs leads to aggression.

My colleague, Senator Vincent Martin highlighted the Green Party's long record in supporting stronger animal welfare legislation. What was clear from tonight's debate is that we do have some good strong legislation. We have good laws but it is about the enforcement of those laws. This is something we really need to focus on in the months and years ahead. For this reason, one of the priorities for my Department in working with the Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare is to develop and promote a responsible pet ownership campaign. Responsible pet ownership is about educating people on what they need to consider before deciding whether to get a dog or a cat, or any pet animal: how to keep and manage a dog, which is the topic tonight; how to manage a dog appropriately; breeding healthy dogs with the right characteristics and healthy confirmations; and the responsibilities of dog owners towards others, particularly in relation to issues such as aggression and sheep worrying.

The Bill before the House today has several recommendations that are of merit, and many aspects are already being examined by my officials internally. Department officials have also engaged with stakeholders and dog welfare charities on many of these issues, including those relating to the welfare of dogs. In early January 2023, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, will meet with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and officials from both Departments where both Ministers and sets of officials will bring their internal findings together to progress this matter with the urgency it needs and deserves.

The co-operation of the authorised officers from the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is recognised and deeply appreciated. I have full confidence that this cross-governmental approach will lead to definitive action to improve the situation without delay.

I reassure Senator Warfield that we have doubled the funding to animal welfare organisations as per our programme for Government commitment. That was finalised last week and it is most welcome. It is only one element in dealing with this and improving the welfare of animals in this country, but it is welcome all the same. I thank all of the Senators. I thank Senator Boylan for bringing forward legislation and Senators for their continued interest and engagement on this topic.