Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 842: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will work closely with the Department of Finance on tax relief or support in assisting the supply of dog dazers; and if he will make a statement on this public health issue. [19279/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 place statutory responsibility for dog control on county and city councils. Under the Acts, dogs are required to be licensed and to be kept under effectual control. Regulations under the Acts also provide for the leashing and muzzling of certain classes of dogs when in a public place. The implementation of the Acts is assigned to local authorities which have power to appoint dog wardens, to provide shelters for stray and other dogs, to seize dogs, to impose on-the-spot fines for a number of offences and to take prosecutions. Local authorities are regularly reminded by my Department of the need for effective enforcement of these provisions.

Any question of introducing tax reliefs is primarily a matter for consideration by my colleague the Minister for Finance. I have no proposals to recommend the introduction of reliefs of the kind referred to in the question.