Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she has proposals to reform the Foreshore Act 1933; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16066/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently responsible for the administration of the Foreshore Act 1933, which regulates activity on or affecting the State's foreshore. The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade, and for all energy developments (including oil, gas, wave, wind and tidal energy) and aggregate and mineral extraction developments on the foreshore would transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

My Department is currently putting in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the efficient and effective transfer of the appropriate legislation and associated functions. My Department will carry forward responsibility for all other foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933, including in respect of all aquaculture developments and piers and harbours, other than in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will clearly assume a critical role in relation to the future management of the foreshore including any legislative developments. My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in that respect.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to combine all animal welfare legislation under one Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16191/08]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she will publish the new animal health bill; the reason for the delay in its publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16190/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 315 together.

A good deal of work has already been undertaken and significant progress has been made on drafting the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill and I intend to initiate a process of public consultation by publishing a consultation paper and inviting submissions from interested parties and other stakeholders. The Bill will be a comprehensive piece of legislation, for the purpose of giving effect to a number of important commitments, in the area of animal health and welfare, contained in the Programme for Government. It is intended that it will amend and consolidate previous legislation to reflect the changed disease status of our nation's animals and update existing legislation, to ensure that the welfare of all animals (including non-farm animals) is properly protected and that penalties for offenders are increased significantly as well as replacing and repealing a long list of outdated legislation. Drafting of the Bill will continue after the consultation process, having regard to the various submissions received.