Tighter laws on dog breeding and puppy farms to be brought to cabinet today

THE MINISTER FOR Agriculture, Martin Heydon, will today introduce draft legislation with significant reforms to dog breeding and ‘puppy farms’ in Ireland. 

The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2026 will update existing laws related to dog welfare and breeding, sales, record-keeping, administration and enforcement. 

A source in the Department of Agriculture said animal welfare is a “key priority” for this government, and every dog “deserves to begin its life in conditions that are safe, clean and caring”.

In recent times, there have been sustained calls to update Ireland’s existing legislation in this area, the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. 

Full details of the reforms included in today’s draft legislation have not yet been confirmed by the Department, however, it is understood that changes will include the introduction of lower limits on litter numbers as well as minimum and maximum breeding age limits and changes to methods of breeding. 

A minimum age will also be put on puppies before they can be sold, with various conditions attached as to how and where they can be shown to customers.

Other changes to be introduced by the Bill include strengthened enforcement tools such as seizure powers, as well as heavier fines and penalties.

In addition to this, mandatory living standard requirements, as well as minimum staffing ratios for breeding females on site for commercial dog breeding businesses, will also be introduced.

The aim of the Bill is to target sales practices that can lead to poor outcomes for puppies in terms of socialisation and early development, and to give consumers greater confidence and protection when purchasing a dog.

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It is understood that the proposed reforms have been informed by the existing statutory Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines, recommendations of the Department’s Dog Control Stakeholder Group, and best practice in comparable jurisdictions.

Greater Dublin Drainage Project 

Elsewhere at Cabinet today, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers is set to update his ministerial colleagues on improvements in infrastructure delivery times as a result of changes introduced this year.

As part of the progress report update, he is expected to tell Cabinet that the Greater Dublin Drainage project will now be delivered in 2031, a year quicker than expected.

The Greater Dublin Drainage Project consists of a new regional wastewater treatment facility which will have the capacity to serve 500,000 people.

It’s set to be located on a 30-hectare site in Clonshaugh in Fingal. 

Meanwhile, the Waterford Ballinamuck wastewater treatment plant will be delivered six months earlier than planned as a direct result of the infrastructure reforms introduced.

A new Special Rapporteur on Child Protection

Meanwhile, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley will bring a memo to cabinet for the appointment of a new Special Rapporteur on Child Protection.

Human rights lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher‘s term in the role ended on 31 January this year.

The special rapporteur on child protection is appointed by the Government to examine and report on legal and legislative matters in respect of child protection.

A Public Jobs open competition to select the nominee for the role of Special Rapporteur on Child Protection has recently concluded and the new appointee is expected to be announced by government later this week. 

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