Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Agriculture
Period
1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025
Specific Details
Dog Control & Sheep Worrying
Intended results
To highlight that sheep farmers are affected by the irresponsible behaviour of some dog owners more than any other sector.
To recognise that Comhairle na Tuaithe and its stakeholders (such as Leave no Trace and others) a lot of time and resources is being put into championing good behaviour, predominantly via Educational/Media campaigns, but unfortunately more is needed.
To highlight that some of the issues are because, politically and administratively responsibilities were scattered somewhat rather than falling under the remit of one body. This should improve with the Department of Agriculture taking up the reigns, but Dog Control must be fully resourced, with measures implemented in a timely manner and more importantly enforced.
To emphasise that lack of enforcement of obligations on dog owners and low levels of sanctions in this area are allowing this behaviour continue with sheep farmers having their flocks savaged by dogs on an almost daily basis at this point.
To highlight that major attacks that take place are reported but this is a problem that is not just confined to sporadic large-scale slaughtering of sheep by dogs. There is not a day goes by that sheep farmers throughout the country do not encounter their flocks worried, run into fences and drains and some sheep savaged.
These cases do not make the headlines but they are happening, creating huge animal welfare issues for sheep and livestock in general and costing farmers money through lost production, animal loss and veterinary bills.
To highlight, also, the emotional & long-standing consequences dog attacks have on the farmer, farm family & remaining flock, most particularly where multiple incidents occur, which isn't all that rare either unfortunately.
To stress that lack of meaningful action in this area has led us to taking the steps of having a ‘No Dogs Allowed' on our lands campaign which is now in its fifth year in an attempt to protect the health and welfare of our animals.
That it is not acceptable to farmers, who provide full traceability for the 7m cattle and almost 3m breeding sheep under our care from birth, where every animal is individually tagged and traceable to the person responsible for them, that a similar system is not in place for dog owners.
To highlight that there are very severe sanctions for farmers when in breach of animal welfare obligations for our animals but the sanctions imposed on dog owners who allow their dogs savage and slaughter our sheep do not reflect the seriousness of the damage these dog owners allow their ‘pets inflict on our animals
That IFA has consistently called for appropriate sanctions and to develop a single national database identifying dogs and their owners/person responsible for the dog.
To stress that for practical enforcement one centralised national database must replace the fragmented and ineffective set up, facilitating immediate identification of the person responsible for the dog.
IFA proposes
1. A single National Database for all dogs corelating 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.
2. Full enforcement of microchipping and licensing obligations of dog owners for all dogs.
3. Stronger powers of enforcement for dog wardens and Gardaí and clarity of these powers.
4. Increased on the spot fines for failing to comply with the microchipping and licensing requirements.
5. Increased sanctions and on the spot fines for failing to have the dog under control.
6. Significant and proportionate sanctions for dog owners when dogs are found worrying/savaging/slaughtering livestock.
7. 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
8. Authority to apply the legislative obligations to dogs in border regions owned by persons not resident in the state.
Governance will transition entirely to the Department of Agriculture by the end of 2025. This streamlining aligns with the Working Group's aim to clarify roles across policy implementation, warden deployment, fines systems, and breed controls.
To stress that these reforms are not merely desirable they are essential. A single national database will close existing record gaps and deliver traceability. Increased warden numbers and enforcement powers will translate policy into onthe-ground protection. Enhanced public education and awareness of the extent of sanctions that would be applied is important to increase responsible dog ownership in the long term.
To emphasise that these comprehensive proposals provide a safer, more effective, and more humane system of dog control in Ireland one that reflects modern best practice, protects our livestock, and ensures accountability. I welcome the Committee's insights and questions on how we might proceed to legislative and operational implementation
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Adrian Gallagher IFA Sheep Chair, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance and Oireachtas Engagement, Tomas Bourke IFA Senior Policy Executive, James Walsh IFA Policy Executive, Mathew McGreehan IFA Sheep Committee
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
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.
Aindrias Moynihan
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Danny Healy-Rae
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Eileen Lynch
Senator (Seanad)
Joanne Collins
Senator (Seanad)
Joe Cooney
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Martin Kenny
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Michael Fitzmaurice
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Natasha Newsome Drennan
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Paraic Brady
Senator (Seanad)
Paul Daly
Senator (Seanad)
Paul Lawless
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
William Aird
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Erin McGreehan
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)