Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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1824. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is planning to introduce mandatory health testing for all commercially bred dogs and consider banning the breeding of brachycephalic breeds, as done in Norway and the Netherlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47182/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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All policy and Legislative responsibility for Dog control transferred to my Department from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht on 1 June 2025 and for Dog breeding establishments on 1 August 2025. Local authorities retain responsibility for all operational, implementation and enforcement matters.  All dog breeding establishments are required to undergo an annual veterinary inspection to ensure compliance with welfare standards in Ireland. Part of this inspection is to ensure that animals are in good health, have appropriately sized enclosures and that these enclosures are clean and have adequate food, water and bedding.

A high-level stakeholder group was established last year to consider policy and legislative matters, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. The stakeholder group’s remit includes considering the need for legislative change. I am committed to reviewing all legislation relating to dogs and in this regard will be guided by the recommendations of the Dog Control Stakeholder Group. I expect the group to revert to me with recommendations on the matter in due course. In the meantime, I am fully committed to progressing the work in this area.  

In relation to banning brachycephalic breeds, in 2021 an independently  chaired Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare was established by the Minister at the time, Minister McConalogue, to advise on matters in relation to companion animal welfare. In 2023, this Council recommended a public awareness campaign, which was approved by the Minister, to reduce the use of images of brachycephalic dogs in advertising, media and merchandise.

My Department, along with other Member States, is currently engaged in consultation on a new proposed  European regulation in relation to the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats.  This includes provisions to ensure that breeding strategies do not include genotypes that have a detrimental effect on the health or welfare of dogs and cats. This Regulation, when finalised, will be applicable to all Member States, including Ireland.