Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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558. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ban wild non domestic animal circus performances here in view of the fact that Dublin City Council has banned these types of shows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39920/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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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. Section 25 of the Act provides for the adoption of codes of practice in relation to, inter alia, matters concerning the welfare of animals, and this is being kept under review in the context of use of animals in circuses. 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.