Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Dog Breeding Establishment Act was passed by the Oireachtas; when was it signed into law by the President; the reasons for the delay in the implementation of same; when it is his intention to implement the sections dealing with puppy farms; if he will provide a definitive date for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40225/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 passed all stages in the Seanad on 14 July 2010 and was signed by the President on 21 July 2010.

Alongside the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, separate legislation on the related issue of greyhound welfare - the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 - which is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, was signed by the President on 16 November, 2011. This legislation will provide for the welfare of greyhounds and the regulation of greyhound breeding establishments.

The provisions of both these pieces of legislation are complementary and accordingly, it is the intention that they be implemented in tandem. This will give wide ranging protection to all dogs in the State by registering and controlling all breeding establishments. I intend to sign the commencement order for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010 shortly and my Department is in ongoing contact with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 in order to co-ordinate the commencement of both Acts.