Ireland has an estimated dog population of about 750,000 but only 158,200 dogs have been licensed, according to figures from the Minister for Environment, Mr Dempsey, Marie O'Halloran reports. A further 206 general dog licences have also been issued. The Minister however has no proposals to introduce compulsory micro-chipping for all dogs, he informed Mayo Fine Gael TD, Mr Jim Higgins in a written reply. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture plans to carry out an evaluation of the passports-for-pets scheme in Britain.
The Minister, Mr Walsh said that any further adjustment to the State's quarantine arrangements would only be considered on the basis that it "would not expose the human and animal population of this country to additional risk".