Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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347. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the special investigation unit will be sent in to investigate animal welfare breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act in regard to large dog breeding kennels. [10718/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The allocation of resources of my Department, whether regional or central, to any particular animal welfare incident depends upon a variety of factors in each individual case. Decisions about which personnel of my Department are tasked with particular investigations of breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act is an operational matter for management of my Department. It is worth noting, additionally, that local authorities have a role in relation to dog breeding kennels under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010.

If the Deputy has any evidence of specific animal welfare breaches in relation to dog breeding kennels, he should forward it to my Department or the appropriate local authority.