Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a list of the legislation being contemplated or proposed within his Department; the proposed short title or working title of the legislation; an outline of the objects of the legislation being considered, and in each case if the general scheme of the Bill has or has not been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4008/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department produces over 70 pieces of legislation in any year almost all of which are secondary legislation and as such do not require a general scheme. However, my Department is proposing or contemplating 4 pieces of primary legislation at the present time, including the Greyhound Welfare Bill which has passed its second stage in the Seanad.

There are 3 other Bills for which the general scheme has been approved, namely – Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill, Forestry Bill and Animal Health and Welfare Bill.

The Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill will enable the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to make regulations providing that specified procedures carried out on animals are not restricted to veterinary practitioners or veterinary nurses.

The Forestry Bill will update the Forestry Act, 1946 by reforming and updating the legislative framework relating to forestry in order to support the development of a modern forestry sector, which enshrines the principles of sustainable forest management and protection of the environment.

The Animal Health and Welfare Bill will consolidate and update existing legislation in the areas of animal health and welfare, including the repeal of several extant Statutes. The new legislation will also provide for the consolidation of responsibility for the welfare of all animals within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.