Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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746. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to improve laws in relation to cruelty to animals given that there has been criticism that the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 contains the term unnecessary suffering which has been deemed too ambiguous to enforce in practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47600/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

This Act provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century. The Act was passed, after a lengthy and constructive debate in both Houses of the Oireachtas and came into operation on 6th March 2014.

I am committed to the continued application of the Act which is considered fully fit for purpose.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continues to enforce the law in this important area along with An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, and authorised officers from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society and our courts regularly adjudicate on the issue of unnecessary suffering in cases brought before them.

Since March 2014, 95 individuals have been successfully prosecuted under the Act. Fines in excess of €65,000 have been imposed. Eleven persons have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment which were suspended in nine cases. The Probation Act was applied in eight instances.

Twenty persons have been disqualified from keeping animals under section 58 of the Act.

In 46 cases, summonses have issued or files have been sent to the DPP with a view to initiating prosecution. A further seven are currently being examined by the Department with a view to pursuing a prosecution if the evidence so warrants.

The Department is assessing the penalties available under the Act in accordance with the commitment in the current Programme for Government.