Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

64. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the governance and oversight frameworks that reside with his Department in instances of the governing body of greyhound racing or coursing having failed to act on evidence of breaches of animal welfare legislation or to exclude trainers convicted of animal welfare breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24629/23]

Charlie 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 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.

I am satisfied that enforcement measures under the Act remain effective. The Act has proven to be a robust piece of legislation and since the Act came into operation in March 2014, 138 individuals have been successfully prosecuted by my Department. Further prosecutions under the Act have been successfully taken by An Garda Síochána and local authorities.

The Department continues to enforce the law in this important area as does An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which have authorised officers under the Act.

RCÉ has informed this Department that its remit is derived from the power vested in it through the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 and Greyhound Racing Act 2019. Where matters of concern have been brought to its attention it has exercised its powers pursuant to these legislative provisions. Since 2000, it has issued 21 Exclusion Orders and has additionally revoked Trainers Licences where the circumstances warranted such action.