The Irish Blue Cross

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Blue Cross

Date published 18 Sep, 2024

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Environment

Period 1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024

Specific Details X-L Bully dog ban intended to be introduced by the Minister at the Department of Rural and Community Development

Intended results To engage with Minister Humphries at DRCD to ensure that any proposed XL Bully dogs ban would at least have realistic time lines and exemptions for owners of these dogs, if indeed she was going to proceed with a ban.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Christina Conneely

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.

Meeting (1)

I met Minister Humphries at Dail Chambers on 10th July with Dogs Trust, ISPCA and Madra reps. I emphasised that responsible dog owners will be impacted by such a ban; very high levels of resources would be required for this first ban of its kind in Ireland. We stated that Ireland already has listed breeds regulations under which the XL Bully breed could be controlled, if resourcing & enforcement was prioritised. I stressed the importance of realistic time lines and exemptions for owners.

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.

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)