Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
701. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a central, publicly accessible database recording all individuals or entities breeding or selling puppies; the expected timeline for this measure; and the way in which it will be enforced. [65388/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra702. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken to improve public awareness of the way to identify licensed breeders; the way in which to report suspected illegal breeding activity; and whether his Department plans a national information campaign. [65389/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 702 and 701 together.
On 1 August 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility for dog breeding establishments transferred to my Department.
Under the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010, local authorities are required to maintain and publish a list of Dog Breeding Establishment in their administrative area. My Department collates this information in to a national register available at gov.ie [Dog Control]
Local authorities retain responsibility for all operational and enforcement matters. Inspections of dog breeding establishments are carried out by my Department and by local authority dog wardens.
In March 2024, the Dog Control Stakeholder Group was established the to review the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.
The group's remit includes considering the need for legislative change. 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. These sub-groups work with the main stakeholder group and will recommend areas of improvement in the dog control and welfare environment. I expect the group to revert to me with recommendations on the matter in the relatively near term once they have considered all issues arising.
In relation to the sale or supply of animals, my Department introduced the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 681/2019). These Regulations put into law certain requirements for sellers and suppliers of pet animals, including the requirement for registering with my Department and agreeing to have certain records available to the public. This information is available at gov.ie [Rules on the Sale, Supply and Advertising of Pet Animals].
My Department liaises with online platforms that sell pets, reminding them of the obligations in relation to the regulations surrounding pet sales. Any pet sales advertisements that are reported to my Department for potential breaches of the legislation are investigated by my Department, local authorities and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals {NSPCA). Where breaches of the regulations are found, advertisements are removed, and the owners are then investigated through the relevant channels.
Suspected breeches of the Sale and Supply Regulations can be reported to PetSalesRegister@agriculture.gov.ie.
In terms of illegal breeding activity, unregistered dog breeding establishments can be reported to the relevant local authority
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
