Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 is expected to be completed through the Oireachtas; the planned commencement dates for the implementation of this new legislation; if it will it be able to deal with animal welfare issues that arose prior to, but are continuing after the passage of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23645/12]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the proposed new Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 will impose new responsibilities on the Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland regarding the welfare of horses while in training with a licensed trainer; the obligations on these bodies in relation to these issues prior to this new legislation being finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23710/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 405 together.

In the first instance the keeper of animals is primarily responsible for their welfare. The principal statutes governing cruelty to all animals in this country, including race horses, is the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965. Responsibility for enforcing this legislation rests with An Garda Síochána who may, on receipt of a complaint, investigate and bring a prosecution against any person alleged to have committed an offence under these Acts.

The new Animal Health and Welfare Bill will consolidate and update existing legislation in the area of animal welfare. There will be provisions for powers of intervention where an animal is deemed to be at risk of being welfare compromised and issues such as the prevention of unnecessary suffering and abandonment of animals will also be addressed. The Bill has recently had its second stage in the Seanad. A date of implementation will be set once the Bill has been passed by the Oireachtas. The Animal Health and Welfare Bill will not have retrospective effect and any issues that arise prior to the passage of this legislation will be dealt with under the relevant legislation currently in force.