John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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1842. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm that Ireland will support the European Parliament’s position to allow tail docking for diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic purposes when the matter of the Council of the EU’s position is being discussed ahead of upcoming trilogue negotiations on the European Commission’s proposal on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47390/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Currently in Ireland, tail docking is permitted in certain breeds of working dogs under specific circumstances. The Prohibition on Tail Docking (Dogs) Regulations 2014, S.I. No. 125/2014, provides for the tail docking, or part of the tail, of a pointer, spaniel or terrier used in connection with lawful pest control, hunting or shooting of animals, subject to certain conditions, including that the dog must be less than 8 days of age and the procedure must be carried out by a veterinary practitioner or veterinary nurse.

I note the upcoming trilogue negotiations and I will continue to closely monitor developments at EU level.