In November I announced the establishment of an independently chaired high-level Stakeholder Group that will inform decisions regarding any potential legislative change related to dog control.
This group will provide a forum for stakeholder organisations to express their views on issues and possible solutions related to dog control issues. The issue of restricted dog breeds and possible amendments or changes to the current arrangements will be discussed by this group, in order to inform policy development in this area.
The first meeting of the group is scheduled for March and I will be announcing full details of the membership of this group shortly. The group comprises a broad range of expertise including sectoral and academic experts. The members will be well placed to identify challenges and solutions in relation to the existing legislation and recommend a way forward.
Further details will be made available on Gov.ie subject to agreement by the chair and the group in due course.