Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 1116: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he classes domestic and or feral cats as vermin; whether the Department is aware of any non-statutory organisations that have a role in vermin control which class cats as vermin; the identities of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18509/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not maintain a statutory vermin list for any class of animal. I understand that the National Association of Regional Game Councils maintain records of all pest species. Under the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which I will be publishing shortly, cats living in the wild will receive the same protection from cruelty as any other wild animal. Cats owned as pets, or otherwise, are classed as "protected animals" within the meaning of the Bill and persons keeping cats as pets will be required to safeguard their welfare and provide them with adequate food, water and shelter.