8 March 2006

Environment

Puppy Farms

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he intends to take on the working group recommendations on regulating breeding establishments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche):
The report of the working group, which was established to review the management of dog breeding establishments, was submitted to me on 7 September 2005. On 20 October 2005, I announced a public consultation process on foot of the working group’s report. In view of the many divergent views on the issue, I wanted to canvass public opinion more widely before taking final decisions on the matter. An advertisement inviting submissions was placed in national newspapers on Monday, 24 October 2005. The closing date for receipt of submissions was Friday, 16 December 2005. The responses received are being examined in my Department and as soon as this exercise is completed, I will consider further the recommendations of the report of the working group and determine an appropriate response.