Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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28. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on recent consideration of amending the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to provide increased protection to animals, particularly regarding outlawing hare coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34017/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Coursing of a hare is permitted under Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013 Act unless the hare is hunted or coursed in a space from which it does not have a reasonable chance of escape. The protections, such as the muzzling of greyhounds, which were introduced in 1993 have played an important role in safeguarding hares involved in coursing. In addition to supervision by officers from the National Parks & Wildlife Service, my Department’s veterinary officials attend around 10% of coursing meetings with a view to ensuring optimum welfare standards. These are selected through a combination of random and risk-based decision making. The Deputy will be aware that the matter was both debated at length and voted upon during the extensive debates that occurred during the passage of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 through the Houses of the Oireachtas. I think that we have struck a reasonable balance in the legislation as between those opposed to hare coursing and those who consider it to be a legitimate sport.

I would like to emphasise that I am fully committed to promoting good practices that respect the welfare of all animals and my Department devotes considerable resources to protecting animal welfare and in dealing with breaches of animal welfare legislation. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 applies across the board, both to rural and urban areas and to all animals, irrespective of species, whether kept for commercial, domestic, sport, show or for other purposes. Under the Act, the penalties are as high as can be permitted under our legal system such that on summary conviction, a person can be fined up to €5,000 and/ or imprisoned for up to 6 months; on conviction on indictment, a fine of up to €250,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years may be imposed. There is provision for fixed penalty payments for lesser offences.

I am satisfied that the Act provides the framework within which the welfare of animals can be safeguarded and I am hopeful that the substantial and significantly increased levels of penalties for offences of animal cruelty provided for under the Act will act as a deterrent to animal welfare abuses. I have no plans to review the Act so soon after it has come into operation.