Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 795: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reasons he ignored the minority report submitted by the Irish Kennel Club on breeding establishments; the further reason it was not available on the Government website when two other minority reports were available to those wishing to take part in the public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27663/06]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 796: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he ignored the minority report submitted by the Irish Kennel Club as they are the principal organisation for pedigree dogs in this country and the dogs produced by puppy farms are generally pedigree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27664/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 795 and 796 together.

The report of the Working Group which was established to review the management of dog breeding establishments was submitted to me on 7 September 2005. The report contained a number of recommendations, including 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. However, three of the members of the Working Group disagreed with the main recommendations and submitted three separate minority reports.

On 30 May, I announced my intention to proceed with implementation of the majority recommendations of the Working Group. This decision followed consideration by me of the majority report and all three minority reports and the conclusion of an extensive public consultation process on the matter which showed that, while there is some opposition to the majority recommendations, there is general support for regulation in this area.

The Working Group report, including all three minority reports, is available on my Department's website and copies are posted to members of the public on request. In addition, a copy of the report, including the three minority reports, and the public advertisement inviting submissions were sent to every individual or organisation who had made a submission when the Working Group was initially set up in 2004.