Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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171. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations as prescribed by his Department for dog training schools and for dog trainers themselves; the procedures in place for complaints of any abuse of animals made by trainers in these training schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20579/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 a person is prohibited from causing unnecessary pain or suffering or endangering the health and welfare of any animal. The Act also provides that a person having possession of an animal must ensure that the animal is kept in a manner that safeguards its health and welfare. While there are no specific regulations on dog training, any complaints relating to the welfare of dogs under training can be investigated by authorised officers of my Department or the local authorities or the Gardaí.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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172. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the National Parks and Wildlife Service's licensing unit for the granting of licences to kill pine martens comes under the remit of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and not under that of his Department; the level of communication and information sharing that exists between the two Departments in respect of animal issues; his views on whether his Department should oversee all animal welfare issues as emphasised in the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20580/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The issuing of licences for the culling of pine martins is administered by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Wildlife Act 1976 because the issues involved in this matter relate to the conservation of wild animals and protection of the our living Heritage. There are no proposals to alter current arrangements in this regard. The relevant officials of the Departments of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Agriculture, Food, and the Marine remain in contact regarding issues of mutual concern.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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173. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the cramped and filthy conditions that animals, including tigers are forced to live in at some circus encampments here; if circus encampments are regularly checked by animal welfare officers; the monitoring carried out to ensure that high standards of animal welfare are maintained in the animal entertainment industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20581/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 animals kept in circuses are subject to inspection in the normal course and enforcement action will be taken where necessary. If the Deputy has specific information of the conditions to which she refers she might inform An Garda Síochána, the Local Authorities or my Department.