Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the facilities in Irish international airports to deal with pets, specifically dogs, being taken out of the country or being brought back into the country (details supplied); if animals with genuine pet passports can be dealt with adequately; and the cost implications for the animal owners. [19212/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Other than in very exceptional circumstances, for example in the case of guide dogs for the visually impaired, Dublin Airport is the only point through which pets may be imported by air. Given our absolute determination to remain rabies free and the grave implications of any errors occurring in the system, my Department insists that every animal must be checked to establish its entitlement to be brought into the country. Unfortunately, due to the pressure on space at Dublin Airport, suitable accommodation has not been made available to date at the airport in which to perform the necessary checks and it is necessary, therefore, to have all animals transferred to a nearby private veterinary practice, which also acts as the national quarantine centre. My Department has requested the Dublin Airport Authority to provide suitable accommodation at the airport and I am hopeful that such accommodation will be provided when the proposed new terminal is completed.

In the meantime, however, my Department intends to maintain the existing practice at a cost to the importer of approximately €210 per animal that covers the airline handing charges, completion and processing of airline and customs records at the airport, cost of secure transport from the airport and the animal/passport checking, including confirmation by a veterinarian that the correct tick and tapeworm treatment has been administered at the correct time.