Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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505. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has conducted any review of the effectiveness of the control of dogs Acts; and if he will consider a full review in light of rising public concern about dog control. [49757/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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517. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether additional enforcement measures are being considered in partnership with local authorities in relation to uncontrolled dogs in public places. [50575/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 517 together.

On 1 June 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts transferred to my Department from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG).

In March 2024, the then Minister for Rural and Community Development established the Dog Control stakeholder group to review the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. The stakeholder group comprises members with a broad range of expertise including academics, veterinary surgeons, local authorities, farming interests, charities working in the field and animal welfare experts.

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.

Three sub-groups of the stakeholder group were established to focus on specific areas relating to dog control and welfare, namely Dog Breeding Establishments; Training and Education; and Traceability. The sub-groups work with the main stakeholder group and will recommend areas of improvement in the dog control and welfare environment. In that context the Stakeholder Group does have scope, inter alia, to consider issues with respect to enforcement in the broadest sense.

The work of the Dog Control stakeholder group is complex in nature, requiring full consideration of all aspects of the relevant legislation, and this takes time. Nonetheless I do expect the group to revert to me with recommendations on the matter in the relatively near term once they have considered all issues arising.

I look forward to the group completing their work and I will consider their recommendations upon presentation to me of their report.