Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 536: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to develop the legal framework and the administrative structures to enhance the protection of animals outside of the commercial agricultural sphere; if he has conducted an audit of the adequacy of existing services to deal with problems in this area; and if he has identified the principal gaps in service which need to be developed. [41506/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts and the Habitats Regulations, relating to the conservation of populations of certain wild animals. Staff of my Department are deployed in administering licences under, and enforcing this legislation, and notices and prosecutions are regularly initiated.

The Wildlife Acts and the Habitats Regulations have also been amended in light of emerging needs, and this process will continue. Animal health and legal protection of animals from cruelty are the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture and Food, and appropriate resources are deployed by that Department for inspections and prosecutions under the relevant legislative codes. There is good cooperation between my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food in relation to issues arising from our respective responsibilities in these areas.