Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to introduce a new animal health bill to consolidate and amend previous legislation to reflect the changed disease status of animals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28545/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to promote the highest standards of animal welfare at all levels of the food production chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28552/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to introduce 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28553/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to consolidate responsibility for the welfare of all animals within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28555/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to review and consolidate where necessary all legislation governing the welfare of non-farm animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28556/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 491, 498, 499, 501 and 502 together.

Work is progressing on drafting the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which gives effect to a number of 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. The Bill also contains provision for repealing and revoking a number of pieces of existing legislation as some of the principal Acts in this area date to 1911.

There has been a very good response to the public consultation process initiated in May last on the draft Bill. Closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday 11th July 2008. Following completion of the consultation process it is intended that my officials will meet with a number of organisations to provide them with an opportunity to elaborate further on their respective submissions and proposals. Thereafter, arrangements will proceed with drafting of the Bill taking account of the submissions received.