Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress made on plans to ratify the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals since the inter-departmental co-ordination meeting on 5 May 2006 of the Council of Europe, which apparently discussed the matter of ratification of Council of Europe conventions and the responsibility of Departments in that regard; her views on signing and ratifying that convention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32864/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of animals kept for farming purposes only and it does not extend to animals kept as pets. I understand that the matter relating to ratification of Council of Europe Conventions and the responsibility of Departments in that regard are still under consideration.