Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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228. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in an effort to try and tackle dog theft, he will consider the introduction of compulsory microchip verification by veterinarians during routine visits, to confirm the owner’s name; if he will consider a mechanism to validate the registration status of the owner's address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38314/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has responsibility for S.I. No 63/2015, the Microchipping of Dogs Regulation 2015 and S.I. 427/2015 - Microchipping of Dogs (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Under these Regulations, all dogs over 12 weeks of age (or younger if sold before 12 weeks) must be microchipped.

It is illegal to sell or supply a dog that is not microchipped. The microchip number must be registered; this helps to ensure the traceability of a dog that strays and improves the chance of return to owner if a dog is stolen. As part of the registration process the owner is required to provide proof of address, such as a utility bill, or other verifiable documentation.

Currently there are no plans to update this legislation.