I received this reply from Pat Breen, my local TD, but still no reply, not even an acknowledgement from the Minister himself.
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Office of the Chairman
]Emma
I wish to acknowledge receipt of your email and thank you for same.
I discussed this matter recently with Minister Hogan given that separate legislation on the related issue of greyhound welfare, which is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, is currently proceeding through the Houses of the Oireachtas. This legislation - the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011 - will provide for the welfare of greyhounds and the regulation of greyhound breeding establishments.
The provisions of both these pieces of legislation are complementary and accordingly and I understand that the Minister's intention is to commence the Dog Breeding Establishments Act alongside the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill. On being implemented together, these two pieces of legislation will give wide ranging protection to all dogs in the State by registering and controlling all breeding establishments. The Welfare of Greyhounds Bill has passed all stages in the Dáil and is currently before the Seanad and the Minister will be in a position to proceed on the Dog Breeding Establishments Act once the Greyhound Bill has been finalised. So in other words it is envisaged that the full Act will be commenced in tandem with the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill once it has been enacted.
Therefore, Environment Minister Phil Hogan will sign the commencement order (which will bring it into effect) for the Dog Breeding Act, when the commencement order for the Greyhounds Act is being signed.
This means all dog breeds will be covered under the two pieces of new legislation.
As you know the The Programme for Government 2011 contains a commitment to amend and strengthen legislation on animal cruelty and animal welfare
The main vehicle to fulfil this commitment will be the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which is a comprehensive piece of legislation providing a broad basis for regulating the related areas of animal health and welfare. This Bill is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney T.D. Drafting of the Bill is ongoing with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it isMinister Coveney’sintention to publish the Bill at an early date.
I trust that this information is of assistance to you and should you need any further assistance or clarity in relation to this or any other matter at any time, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards
Pat Breen T.D.
It would be great to get some accurate time line estimates?
Emma