Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1317. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he and other Ministers visited a farm (details supplied), considering allegations; if he will investigate these allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38722/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I was taking the opportunity to highlight the critical importance of keeping dogs under control to ensure the safety of sheep, lambs and indeed people. Last year the then Taoiseach asked that I coordinate across government on this issue. I established a Working Group on the Control of Dogs, which delivered a report containing a number of recommendations. This report was approved by Cabinet and has been published online. Work is now ongoing to deliver on the recommendations of the report.

I continue to emphasise the importance of responsible dog ownership, to protect people and livestock.

Anyone with any evidence or suspicion of animal welfare abuse can report this to my Department which operates a confidential animal welfare helpline and email address. In dealing with complaints, where appropriate, Department officials collaborate with An Garda Síochána, local authorities, the ISPCA and DSPCA.

The Helpline number and e-mail address for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare breaches are as follows: 01 607 2379 or animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1318. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has been made aware of the concerns of many farmers in relation to the introduction of a national fertiliser database; if an extension of the timeframe is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38723/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act 2023 was signed into law in mid-July 2023 and the provisions relating to the registration of Professional Fertiliser End Users and Fertiliser Economic Operators came into effect on 1 September. It is a requirement under the legislation, inter alia, to be registered on the Department’s National Fertiliser Database in order to sell or purchase fertiliser in Ireland.

My Department has engaged with stakeholders at all stages of the development and rollout of the National Fertiliser Database (NFD). Significant efforts have been made to ensure that registration on the NFD is a very straightforward and simple process whereby farmers, or their agents, can register using www.agfood.ie.

Whilst many farmers will not purchase fertiliser at this time of year, there has been exceptionally strong level of farmer and other Professional Fertiliser End User registrations on the National Fertiliser Database. I am extremely pleased to note that as of the 5th of September over 96,000 farmers have registered for the Database. There are no plans to extend the timeframes under the legislation.