Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status of the Animal Welfare Bill; when he expects to publish the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17543/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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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, very shortly, 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 which will, inter alia, give effect to a number of important commitments, in the area of animal health and welfare, contained in the Programme for Government. The Bill 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and that penalties for offenders are increased significantly as well as replacing and repealing a long list of outdated legislation.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.