(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to amend the legislation in relation to animals wandering on roads with a view to increasing fines.

(Dublin South-East): As stated in reply to Questions Nos. 484 and 485 of 29 October 1981, there is no specific proposal for amending roads or road traffic legislation on this subject. The main legal difficulty in this area has been the immunity from full civil liability of the “keepers” of straying animals. This question has now been fully reported on by the Law Reform Commission and the Government are arranging to have the report examined by the Department concerned.

Could the Minister give us the date of the report of the Law Reform Commission to the Government?

(Dublin South-East): 11 June 1982. The Law Reform Commission submitted two reports to the Taoiseach dated 11 June 1982.

Did the earlier report from the Law Reform Commission not make clear the fact that legislation in this area was wholly unsatisfactory and that has been with the Government for a matter of years?

(Dublin South-East): It has been unsatisfactory, I agree, on the two main issues — this question of the immunity by which the “keeper” is protected and the second question of whether or not to make the keeper of the animal strictly liable for injuries caused by any fault on the part of the keeper. The Department of Justice as the Deputy realises, would be the Department concerned in this instance.

In view of the fact that there is a draft Bill attached to the final report from the Law Reform Commission, is there determination on the part of the Government to introduce amending legislation at the earliest possible date?

(Dublin South-East): I would agree to give consideration to that and recommend it.

As the Minister is aware, this is a very serious problem in the city of Dublin, could the Minister tell me how many pounds we have in Dublin city and how many are in operation at this time?

(Dublin South-East): I do not have that information to hand.

Perhaps the Minister would forward it to me?

(Dublin South-East): I certainly will.