Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 456: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm that in the Government legislation programme, the proposed Bill 37 to consolidate and update existing legislation in the areas of animal health and welfare and to consolidate responsibility for the welfare of all animals, including non-farm animals, under his Department will include dogs. [9903/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A good deal of work has been undertaken on drafting the 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 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 will also provide for the consolidation of responsibility for the welfare of all animals, including dogs, within my Department.