Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current position regarding animal rights legislation that is currently progressing through the Dail Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55372/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Animal Health and Welfare Bill which I am bringing forward consolidates a wide range of existing legislation. As such, it will apply in a wide range of situations affecting the welfare of animals and so can be enforced by a range of State bodies that include officers of my Department, An Garda Síochána, the Customs and Excise and Local Authorities. The Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which is on Committee Stage in the Dáil, sets out general horizontal rules on health and welfare that will apply to all animals. It does not set out detailed rules for individual species or sectors. These can be dealt with through a variety of means such as Codes of Practice, Regulations or other primary legislation which can lay down more detailed laws for specific animals in certain cases; for example, the Control of Horses Act and The Dog Breeding Establishments Act.