Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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451. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list the organisations included in the dog control stakeholder group; and how this group intends to engage with dog welfare stakeholders. [31436/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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A high-level stakeholder group was established in March 2024 to consider the policy and legislative matters related to the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.

The Dog Control Stakeholder Group is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr John Twomey and is comprised of members with a broad range of expertise including animal welfare charities, academics, veterinary surgeons, local authorities, farming interests and animal welfare experts.

The group consists of the following members;

Mr John Twomey (Chair);

Department of Rural and Community Development;

My Department;

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications;

An Garda Síochána;

Association of Pet Dog Trainers Ireland;

Blue Cross;

County and City Management Association (CCMA);

Comhairle na Tuaithe;

Dogs Trust;

Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA);

Hunting Association of Ireland;

Irish Farmers' Association;

Irish Kennel Club;

Irish Veterinary Nursing Association;

Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA);

Madra;

National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC);

UCD School of Veterinary Medicine;

Veterinary Ireland.

The stakeholder 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. The group meets on a quarterly basis.

Three sub-groups of the stakeholder group have been established to date to focus on specific areas relating to dog control and welfare. The sub-groups are focusing on Dog Breeding Establishments, Training and Education and Traceability, respectively. The sub-groups will work with the main stakeholder group to recommend areas of improvement in the wider dog control and welfare environment.

The group will facilitate regular interaction between the relevant government departments and agencies and stakeholders, enabling a range of stakeholder views to be heard in a systemic way.