Written answers

Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Greyhound Industry

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

306. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if proposed statutory instruments legislating that euthanasia of a greyhound must only be carried out by a vet have been adopted (details supplied); if he has concerns that Greyhound Racing Ireland's Code of Practice states that non-vets can kill greyhounds for reasons including "the greyhound has behavioural and temperament issues that deemed the greyhound as being unsuitable for rehoming”. [20261/23]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

No statutory instrument relating to the euthanasia of greyhounds has been adopted by this Department.

The question regarding Rásaíocht Con Éireann's Code of Practice raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

307. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of active and inactive greyhounds killed by vets and non-vets in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [20262/23]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the organisation charged with the role of Keeper of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book (IGSB) since 1923. The Stud Book records pedigrees, ownerships, breeding data and transfers of ownership of all greyhounds. TheICC is subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.

The ICC has informed this Department that Section 10 (3) of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 states that “If a greyhound dies, the person whose name is entered in the Irish Greyhound Stud Book as the owner of the greyhound shall, within 14 days, give notice in writing to the Club of the fact, the identification of the greyhound and the date of death.” The Act does not specify that the notices capture whether or not a veterinary surgeon is involved and therefore, the information requested is not available.

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

308. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds exported, rehomed, retained as pets and that died in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, as recorded on Greyhound Racing Ireland's RCÉTS traceability system. [20263/23]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.