Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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224. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to ensure that the use of wild animals in circuses is banned here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35515/16]

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 and requires a person having an animal under his or her control to safeguard and not endanger the health and welfare of the animal.  My Department continues to engage with stakeholders, including circus groups, animal welfare organisations, in relation to the welfare of wild animals in circuses. According to the information available to my Department, there are in fact very few wild animals currently performing in Irish circuses. 

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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225. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections officials in his Department made into the welfare of animals in circuses over the past year; if any welfare issues were identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35534/16]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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226. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on prohibiting the use of animals in circuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35535/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.

The conditions under which all species of animals in circuses 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, including wild animals in circuses. Officials from my Department have inspected 4 circuses to date this year but no significant animal welfare issues were identified.

My Department continues to engage with stakeholders, including circus groups, animal welfare organisations, in relation to the welfare of wild animals in circuses. According to the information available to my Department, there are in fact very few wild animals currently performing in Irish circuses. I have no plans at this juncture to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current regulation concerning the welfare of wild animals used in circuses here; if any animal welfare complaints that have been submitted to his office in this regard have resulted in investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35538/16]

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 and requires a person having an animal under his or her control to safeguard and not endanger the health and welfare of the animal.  My Department has received general complaints from members of the public with regard the welfare of circus animals and these complaints have been investigated. No welfare issues were detected. 

If the Deputy is aware of any specific complaints relating to the welfare of animals currently performing in Irish circuses, she should bring them to my Department’s attention.