Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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768. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if statistics are being kept regarding the number of licensed pet sellers selling dogs online that are breeds on the restrictive dog breeds list; and if not, if he will consider collecting those statistics. [15027/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has recently updated the requirements for entry onto the Pet Sales Register. The new requirements include the need that the entity must be inspected by either a Private Veterinarian Practitioner, Irish Greyhound Board welfare officer or DAFM veterinarian, and must also supply details of the number, and breed, of animals kept on the premises. The Department does not keep a record of dog breeds offered for sale online.

The Register of Sellers and Suppliers of Pet Animals and the Register of Premises on the Department's website has additional guidance for potential pet owners thinking of acquiring a pet, further supporting potential purchasers in making informed decisions. A traceability and verification system has been developed by a website advertising dogs in conjunction with a microchipping company. I encourage all websites to use this system.

The Deputy will be aware the matter of restrictive dog breeds is covered in the Control of Dogs legislation which is under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD).

In late 2022, I was tasked by the then Taoiseach to coordinate an across-government approach to the matter of dog control. My Department is working closely with DCRD on this matter. Minister Humphreys and I have set up a working group to examine issues relating to dog control. The group has recently submitted a report to us with a number of recommendations which we are currently carefully considering. I will be reporting back to Government shortly on this issue.