Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Local Government
Period
1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024
Specific Details
IFA Manifesto for Local Government Elections 2024 - Dog Control
Intended results
To highlight that despite continuous appeals for action, both the Government and Local Authorities have failed to address the issue of dog control. The problem of dogs attacking sheep flocks remains all to common, inflicting horrific damage from an animal welfare and economic perspective.
To propose that Local Authorities must do more to enforce the obligations of responsible dog ownership to reduce the unacceptable levels of livestock worrying and sheep killing; disruption to mountain hare and ground nesting birds etc.
To propose that more dog wardens are needed in all counties to ensure all dog owners, including farmers, fulfil their legal requirement to licence, microchip and register their dogs. They must also ensure dog owners keep their animals under control at all times.
To propose that there needs to be greater local and nationally run education and awareness campaigns, particularly in advance of lambing season, around responsible dog ownership.
To propose that the establishment of a single national database for all dogs correlating licensing and microchipping and identifying the person responsible for the dog, but at a minimum alignment of the existing licensing and microchipping records to one central access point.
To propose that increased sanctions and on the spot fines for failing to comply with the microchipping and licensing requirements; failing to have the dog under control; and for dogs found worrying livestock.
To propose that there should be a legal requirement for dogs to be microchipped and licensed and identified on the NVPS (National Veterinary Prescribing System) prior to any veterinary treatment or prescribing of medicines by veterinary practitioners.
To propose that there should be authority to apply the legislative obligations to dogs in border regions owned by persons not resident in the state.
To propose that any amenities or walkways within the jurisdiction of Local Authorities that are in close proximity to farm lands where animals are grazed must prohibit dogs.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy and Chief Economist, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Mass communications
Submission All Senators
Letter All Senators
Submission All TDs
Letter All TDs
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Informal communication (2-5)
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Darragh O'Brien
Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)
James Browne
Minister of State (Department of Justice)
Joe O'Brien
Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)
Michael McGrath
Minister (Department of Finance)
Micheál Martin
Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)
Roderic O'Gorman
Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)