John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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95. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person who has been convicted or fined for cruelty to animals, the procedures in place to ensure this person cannot keep animals again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42410/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Section 58 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 contains provisions on disqualification following conviction of an offence under certain sections of the Act. Under this section, a Court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, disqualify a person from keeping, dealing with or making a living from animals either generally or animals of a particular class or description. This exclusion may be for a period, including the life of a person, as the Court deems appropriate.

In addition, Section 61 of the Act allows a wide range of public authorities to seek a Court order relating to the management of animals and limiting the number of animals that may be kept by persons who the Court considers incapable of taking care of animals be it for health or other reasons. I am aware of a recent case where a person purporting to offer an animal rescue service was convicted of cruelty to animals. While the offences in this instance predated the coming into operation of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which came into operation on 6 March 2014, the change in the law will in the future make it easier for the Courts to issue disqualification orders in appropriate circumstances.