To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department is charged with the monitoring of the welfare of circus animals here; and if so, the number of inspections of circuses that have been carried out in the past five years.

Reply : The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: (Brendan Smith)

My  Department's  responsibility  in  the  area of animal welfare currently extends  to farmed animals only. Primary responsibility for issues relating to  safety  and  welfare of circus animals lies with the owner or keeper of such animals. The Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965 is the principal legislation  governing  the  welfare of all animals in this country and any person having concerns about the treatment or well-being of a circus animal should  report  the  matter to An Garda Síochána who have powers under this legislation to investigate such matters and prosecute any person alleged to have committed cruelty against an animal.

As the Deputies will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to consolidate responsibility for the welfare of all animals,  including non-farm animals, within my Department and my officials are currently drafting an Animal Health and Welfare Bill to give effect to this commitment. I recently published a consultation paper seeking the views of interested parties and individuals on the new Bill, which is intended to update existing legislation, to ensure that the welfare of animals is properly protected and that the penalties for offenders are increased significantly.