Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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63. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support a national ban on the use of wild animals in circuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21319/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The conditions under which circus animals are kept and managed come under the scope of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 which contains rules relating to the welfare of all animals. Officials from my Department have met with representatives from circus groups and with animal welfare organisations and with colleagues in the Wildlife Service (NPWS) – the latter body on account of its role in the implementation of the licensing and inspection of zoos regulations and being theCITES Management Authority of Ireland.

My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders in order to ensure compliance with animal health and welfare of all animals. Section 25 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 which provides for the adoption of codes of practice is being kept under review in the context of use of animals in circuses. However, information to hand indicates that there are in fact very few wild animals currently in Irish circuses and I have no plans at this time to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.