303 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation to prevent the sale of dogs to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5435/02]

Under Section 4 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, as amended, a local authority is precluded from issuing a dog licence to any person under the age of 16 years. No person under that age would, therefore, be entitled to keep a dog in his/her own right. I have no plans to introduce further controls in this regard.