80. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the drafting of a new animal welfare strategy for 2026 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21353/26]

Sentiment score: 0.01

I ask the Minister to make a statement on how the animal welfare strategy is progressing. I draw his attention to the fact that two countries, Wales and Scotland, have this week banned greyhound racing. Ireland is now going to be a complete and utter outlier. In banning it in Scotland, it will be an offence to set up a racetrack or for a dog owner to race a dog on one. The proponent of the motion said greyhound racing belonged in the past. The international consensus is to ban it. In Wales, it will come into force by 2030. Is it not time for us to transition out of greyhound racing?

Sentiment score: -0.16

I do not think the Minister should be pre-empting whether he will ban greyhound racing. I hope he will actually study the strategy and come out with a report from it. Are we not actually going backwards on animal rights in this country when Wales and Scotland, two countries we have close ties with and to which we are aligned culturally, are banning it while the Minister is doubling down on maintaining it? Dogs Trust Ireland, not a radical socialist organisation by any means, has pointed out that 869 dogs have died on racetracks in the last six years and that 2,343 have been injured. Racing at speed on oval tracks is dangerous for dogs in extreme weather. They have poor diet, very little enrichment in their lives and very little traceability. That has been pointed out by Dogs Trust Ireland, which tries to work with the greyhound industry. This is an industry that is being propped up by the State. Attendances have plummeted. It is not widely supported in our society any more because people have seen the dangers of having a racing industry that is just propped up by the State and is cruel for the animals involved.

Sentiment score: -0.19

It is just because of what happened this week.

Sentiment score: 0.00

They are facts.

Sentiment score: 0.00

My question was broad. I will happily talk about the treatment of wild animals, animals in captivity and farmed animals but I decided that two events happened in Wales and Scotland this week that were absolutely seminal and should make the Irish Government think as well. Part of the reason that the greyhound industry has been able to sustain itself is exporting greyhounds. That will now be less of an option if it has been banned in two countries neighbouring us. While €20 million was given to the greyhound industry in the last budget, only €6 million was given to animal welfare charities, which we know are screaming out for more funding for dog rescues, pony rescues and so many others. I agree with the Minister that there is a huge concern over the treatment of dogs in this country, including puppy farming and many other things. However, there is no need for the State to be propping up greyhound racing in the way that it is. It is only maintaining itself. Some 5% of racing dogs have died within one year. Surely that should be considered an absolute priority in the animal welfare strategy.

Sentiment score: 0.10