Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2606. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Control of Dogs Bill 2024, including an outline of the appeals process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19835/25]

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

A high level stakeholder group was established in 2024 to consider 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 meets regularly and its 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. The work of the stakeholder group is complex in nature requiring full consideration of all aspects of the relevant legislation and this will take some time. Once the Heads of a Bill are approved by Government, pre-legislative scrutiny will follow in the normal course.

The Programme for Government sets out how the Government 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.

Officials in my Department are currently developing regulations to amend S.I. No. 491/2024 - Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024. The amended regulations will provide for a review mechanism in circumstances where a dog owner may disagree with the determination of a dog warden that a dog not in possession of a certificate of exemption meets the physical conformation standard that defines an XL bully type dog. It is my intention to sign the amended regulations in the coming weeks once they have been finalised.