Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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264. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the current regulation concerning welfare of wild animals used in circuses here; if any animal welfare complaints have been submitted to his office that resulted in investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7869/17]

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.