Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 553: To ask the Minister for Health when legislation will be enacted to transpose directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the European Council on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32463/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes came into force in November 2010. This Directive is intended to strengthen the protection of animals needed for research and safety testing, minimise the number of animals used in experiments and require alternatives to be used where possible. The new Directive is required to be transposed into Irish law by 12 November 2012 and to be effective from 1 January 2013. My Department recently initiated a public consultation on the Directive with responses to be submitted by yesterday. This consultation, in addition to ongoing discussions at EU Commission level, will greatly assist the transposition process and facilitate completion of the work by the due date.