Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to act on the recommendations of the working group examining the issues surrounding dog breeding here by introducing legislation to enforce standards in the sector; when he intends to introduce such legislation; the measures this legislation will include; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36663/05]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to establish a public consultation process in relation to creating a supervised structure for dog breeding here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36664/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 54 together.

The report of the working group established to review the management of dog breeding establishments was submitted to me on 7 September 2005. The report contains a number of useful recommendations including in relation to the introduction of statutorily enforceable standards for the dog breeding industry in Ireland and proposes the introduction of a registration system for dog breeding establishments.

On 20 October 2005, I announced a public consultation process on foot of the working group's report indicating that, in view of the many divergent views on the issue, I wanted to canvass public opinion more widely before taking final decisions on the matter. An advertisement inviting submissions was placed in the national newspapers on Monday, 24 October 2005. The closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday, 16 December 2005.

I will further consider all of the recommendations in the report of the working group, including those relating to the introduction of legislation, following the conclusion of the consultation process.