Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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149. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is any progress update from the high-level stakeholder group on dog control given the recent increase in dog attacks; if this group is due to write a report on the issue of dog attacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25763/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has policy and legislative responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. In March 2024 I announced the establishment of a high level stakeholder group to consider and make recommendations to strengthen policy in relation to these issues.

The group is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr John Twomey and is comprised of members with a broad range of expertise. The group have been tasked with considering the policy and legislative matters under the remit of DRCD, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.

The work of the stakeholder group is complex in nature requiring full consideration of all aspects of both pieces of legislation under the remit of my Department . As such the work of the group is likely to take some time. However, in view of recent events, I have asked the Chair to prioritise the issue of Restricted Dogs and this will be the first issue to be considered by the stakeholder group at its next meeting to be held later this month.