Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

897. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if work has begun on the control of dogs and dog breeding establishment miscellaneous Bill; how he intends to amend the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts; the consultations he intends to hold; and if he will provide for pre-legislative scrutiny. [13607/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Dog Control Stakeholder Group established by my Department in 2024 have been tasked with considering the policy and legislative matters currently under the remit of my Department, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. The stakeholder group meet regularly and the work of the group is wide ranging and complex in nature. The group's remit includes considering the need for legislative change. This requires in depth analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and implementable but that they also deliver the best outcomes for communities and for dogs themselves. This work will take some time, however once Heads of a Bill are approved by Government, pre-legislative scrutiny follows in the normal course.

As part of the Programme for Government, the Government has set out how it intends to provide for an enhanced approach to dog control issues. In this regard, all legislation and policy in relation to the Control of Dogs, Dog Welfare and Dog Breeding Establishments will rest with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and that Department to implement this Transfer of Functions in a timely manner.

In the meantime, I am fully committed to progressing the work in this area.