Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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326. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will establish, immediately, a register of those convicted of animal cruelty or neglect, in order to preclude them from keeping animals and particularly from working with animals, and-or being licensed to do so by his Department or any arm of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27200/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The 2013 Animal Health and Welfare Act provides an effective framework to protect the welfare of animals in Ireland, including through prosecutions for breaches of the Act. Upon conviction, the courts may among the range of penalties available to it, make an order banning an offender from keeping animals.

Court proceedings are carried out publicly and animal welfare proceedings are frequently reported in the local and national press. There are no plans to set up a national register of those convicted of animal cruelty in court.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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327. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department neither sought nor took an official or unofficial welfare interest in the lands adjacent to a company (details supplied) where horses were kept before slaughter and which have been the subject of welfare complaints by members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27201/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and appropriate enforcement action is undertaken where breaches or shortcomings are identified.

Five complaints were received by my Department's animal welfare helpline in relation to animals at lands adjacent to the site in question between 2018 and 2023. These were one in 2018, one in 2019, two in 2021and one in 2023. In response to these reports, on each occasion a Veterinary Inspector went to the site, carried out an investigation, and engaged with the keeper of the horses to resolve the specific issues raised.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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328. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times veterinarians and-or other Departmental staff raised concerns either orally or in writing about the conditions at or around a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27202/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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There are records of 6 non-compliance reports issued relating to the business operator mentioned in 2023, and none to date in 2024. In each case, the issues identified were followed up and closed out in a timely manner. None of the non-compliance issues raised in 2023 related to animal welfare matters.