Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the legislation on the protection of pet animals and the promotion of responsible ownership was last reviewed; if his Department has examined international best practice in terms of the legislative framework; his plans to update laws here to provide a more modern and effective framework for this area of growing public concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23700/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The principal statutes governing animal welfare are the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965. Responsibility for that legislation, including any proposals for amendment, is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture and Food.

My Department's functions relate to the provisions of the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992. The main focus of these Acts is the control of stray and dangerous dogs, such as guard dogs, which could present nuisance or danger to the general public or to other animals. The implementation of the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 is vested in local authorities who have power, inter alia, to appoint dog wardens, to provide shelters for stray and other dogs, to impose on-the-spot fines for a number of offences and to take prosecutions. This legislation is kept under review in my Department.

The report of a Working Group which was established to review the management of dog breeding establishments contained a number of recommendations including recommendations in relation to the introduction of statutorily enforceable standards for the dog breeding industry in Ireland and proposed the introduction of a registration system for dog breeding establishments. On 30 May 2006, I announced my intention to proceed with implementation of the majority recommendations of the Working Group. My Department will now, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Food, develop the new system as quickly as possible. This process will include the development of standards for relevant dog breeding establishments and the drafting of new Regulations under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992.