Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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34. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views regarding the amount of prosecutions for animal cruelty under the Animal Health and Welfare Act; his plans to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42807/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is a significant piece of legislation replacing a wide range of acts relating to animal health and welfare dating back over a century. The Act places specific requirements on animal keepers to care for animals rather than merely avoid cruelty. Its main elements were commenced with effect from 6 March 2014 and on the same day, a series of regulations and orders were made relating to different aspects of the Act. Since its commencement a number of files have been prepared for alleged offences under the Act, ranging from cruelty to dogs, failure to comply with animal health and welfare notices and failure to protect for the welfare of cattle, horses, sheep and pigs. To date there has been one successful prosecution. Of the remaining files some are with the Chief State Solicitor for the institution of prosecutions while others are being progressed by An Garda Síochána and/or under consideration with my Department’s legal officers. Prior to the introduction of the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013, the main statutes governing cruelty to animals was the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 and Protection of Animals (amendment) Act, 1965 and responsibility for pursuing complaints under that legislation rested with An Garda Síochána. Cases are ongoing in this regard and prosecutions are pending before the Courts in this context.

I consider training of and the provision of information to stakeholders to be an integral part of bringing any Act of the Oireachtas into operation, particularly since, in the case of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, there are provisions for officers from some non-governmental organisations to be authorised for certain specified functions under the Act. There must be confidence that powers will be used in a professional manner by officers with appropriate skills and training. To date my Department has organised seminars relating to the application of the Act for authorised officers from my Department and from some NGOs and members of An Garda Síochána. Further training seminars are planned for the future.

I would urge members of the public to continue to report incidents of animal cruelty to my Department’s animal welfare helpline at 0761 0644 08 (call save).