Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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1244. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will instruct his Department to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 in order to ban the transport of cats and dogs in the boots of cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10740/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department oversees the implementation of national and European rules on animal welfare, including animal welfare during transport. The existing framework of rules forbids the transport of animals in conditions which are likely to cause injury or undue suffering to them.

Transporting animals in the boot of a car that is closed and has no light or windows runs a risk of causing undue suffering or even suffocation, as there is a risk of insufficient air flow.

Anyone becoming aware of animals being transported in such conditions should contact the Garda Siochana or their local regional office of my Department.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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1245. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the appointment of an animal welfare director, as it is obvious that there is a considerable public appetite for such a public position now and the most energetic agencies tend to be individuals and NGOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10771/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.

My Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously. Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner.

My Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, local authorities, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified. My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the areas of animal welfare, the law and having regard to the practical lessons learnt from operating the Act.

In 2021, my Department launched the Animal Welfare Strategy (2021-2025), which created a framework for engagement and collaboration with stakeholders to improve animal welfare, as well as establishing a dedicated Animal Welfare Division. This strategy is due for renewal this year.

In December 2024, my Department announced record funding of €6 million to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide, through the animal welfare grant programme, these awards also support the provision of education and knowledge sharing to the public on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, helping to raise animal welfare standards.

My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline and e-mail address through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation.

The dedicated e-mail address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:

Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.

Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie

I am satisfied that these measures provide a comprehensive framework and sufficient safeguards to ensure the welfare of animals and I have no plans to set up any other authority.