Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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240. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current requirements for family pets travelling on the island of Ireland, north, south and vice versa; the details of recent guidance notes issued to the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32298/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As outlined in EU Regulation 576/2013, since 2014, dogs, cats and ferrets travelling as pets between Ireland and Northern Ireland have needed to be microchipped, to be vaccinated against rabies and to be accompanied by a pet passport. These requirements have not changed as a result of Brexit.

Since 1st January 2021, the movement of pets between Ireland and Northern Ireland has been protected under the Ireland – Northern Protocol, which forms part of the broader EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Under the Protocol, Northern Ireland is subject to EU Regulation 576/2013 and is still treated as if it were a Member State for the purposes of this Regulation. The Commission has issued detailed guidance on this topic, as part of their series of Brexit Readiness Notices.

The Department has also issued a guidance document for pet travel after Brexit and will continue to communicate with pet owners regarding the requirements for entering Ireland.