Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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1692.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department's full animal welfare investigation is already ongoing and-or will run in tandem with a Garda investigation regarding same (details supplied); if his Department has referred this cruelty to An Garda Síochána to investigate with a view to prosecution given the plant and operator were certified by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32901/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that my Department has an ongoing investigation into the animal welfare related incidents referenced, and I can also confirm that this is being undertaken jointly, and in coordination with the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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1693.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the protocols and procedures in place in his Department by which it notifies to An Garda Síochána incidents of animal cruelty to which it is alerted or of which it becomes aware; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32902/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is fully committed to the ongoing promotion of high animal welfare standards.

Department authorised officers, along with An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, authorised officers from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), provide continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.

The Gardai are not routinely involved by the Department in the investigation of incidents of animal cruelty; any decision to involve An Garda Síochána is taken on a case by case basis. Occasionally, matters may first come to the attention of the Gardai and Department staff may provide support to their investigations.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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1694.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department keeps a formal account of all animal welfare charges and convictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32903/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine maintains a record of animal welfare prosecutions taken at the suit of the Minister under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

This record includes person prosecuted, offences, Court and date of hearing, outcome and any penalty imposed.