Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the new animal welfare legislation planned as part of the Programme for Government; if this includes provisions to deal with all animals including dogs and cats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19101/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government provides inter alia for consolidation of responsibility for the welfare of all animals (including non-farm animals) within my Department, promotion of the highest standards of animal welfare at all levels of the food production chain, review and consolidation where necessary of all legislation governing the welfare of non-farm animals and introduction of a comprehensive Animal Welfare Bill, updating existing legislation, to ensure that the welfare of animals is properly protected and that the penalties for offenders are increased significantly.

All of the foregoing are being pursued and the preparation of the required legislation to implement the commitments is proceeding within my Department.