Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

88. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the review of legislation to consider further regulations in relation to dog breeding establishments; the timeframe for such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15203/19]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Last year, following a public consultation process, my Department published new Guidelines for Dog Breeding Establishments. These were put in place under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, and came into effect on 1 January of this year.

Having published the new Guidelines, my Department is now identifying any necessary legislative changes that may be required to further improve standards.

This review will involve examining relevant legislation to ensure that existing laws and international best practice, as well as the views of stakeholders, are taken into account. Any amendments to the Act will be dependent on the outcome of this review.  This work is ongoing and will continue throughout 2019.

Examples of matters that will be considered include whether the definition of a dog breeding establishment should be changed to reference three rather than six breeding bitches, whether there should be more offences introduced, or whether there should be an overall cap on the number of dogs in an establishment. These and other points need to be considered further during the year to ensure an appropriate approach is taken.