Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1860. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stakeholders and composition of the working group established to examine issues under the Control of Dogs Act 1986; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2013/23]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1861. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the first meeting of the working group established to review the Control of Dogs Act 1986 will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2015/23]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1862. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects the working group established to review the Control of Dogs Act 1986 to submit its recommendations; if he can commit to this work being completed as expeditiously as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2017/23]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1863. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the terms of reference of the working group reviewing the Control of Dogs Act 1986; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2019/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1860 to 1863, inclusive, together.

Officials from my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development met last week to discuss the setting up of this working group, which is a priority for both Departments. The Terms of Reference and composition for the Working Group on Control of Dogs are being finalised and further details will be available in the near future.

There is a clear commitment from both Ministers and Departments tackle this issue and ensure that the law is as robust as possible to ensure that both people and animals are safe.

Our dogs are more than pets, they are our companions and loyal friends. However, scenes we have witnessed recently show the threat dogs can pose if they are not properly controlled by their owners. Both Minister Humphreys and I will work proactively on this in the time ahead.