Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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274. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Laois; the steps that have been taken to deal with their allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46046/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been in correspondence with the person named for some time in relation to his allegations. My Department has at all times made it clear that responsibility for pursuing the allegations in question is a matter for investigation by An Garda Síochana. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 was commenced on the 6 ^thMarch 2014 and, arising from its commencement, all animal welfare matters now come within the remit of my Department. Accordingly, my Department is in a position to investigate allegations of animal abuse occurring since the commencement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act. However, as the Act does not have retrospective effect, matters which took place prior to 6 ^thMarch 2014 and were not part of the remit of my Department at that time remain outside my Department’s competence.