Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make regulations under the Control of Dogs Acts in relation to dog breeding establishments; if hunt kennels will be included in such regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46760/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I will publish a Dog Breeding Establishments Bill in the near future. The draft Bill proposes to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group that reviewed the management of dog breeding establishments. The Working Group recommended that a dog breeding establishment be defined as "a premises containing more than 5 female dogs, aged over 4 months, with breeding potential". The draft Bill proposes that all dog breeding establishments be required to register with the relevant local authority, that they pay a registration fee and that they meet a minimum set of veterinary, welfare and other standards, together with some associated requirements. It is also proposed to amend a number of the existing dog control provisions.

The Hunting Association of Ireland (HAI) made submissions to me in relation to their activities and the nature of these. As a consequence and in recognition of the "not for profit" basis of these activities, and as communicated to the HAI directly and in response to representations on their behalf, I decided to provide exemption in the legislation in respect of the payment of registration fees. The HAI has made clear that their premises operate in accordance with comprehensive and appropriate standards. Accordingly, I do not consider that this aspect of the legislative regime should cause difficulty to their members. Regulations made under the Control of Dogs legislation will be amended on enactment of the Bill and will provide for consultation with interested parties, including the HAI, in developing guidelines to meet the requirements of the legislation.