Official Report: Minutes of Evidence
Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, meeting on Thursday, 26 June 2025
Members present for all or part of the proceedings:
Mr Robbie Butler (Chairperson)
Mr Declan McAleer (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Tom Buchanan
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mr William Irwin
Mr Patsy McGlone
Miss Michelle McIlveen
Miss Áine Murphy
Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill — Legislative Consent Memorandum: Committee Report
The Chairperson (Mr Butler): I am going to note that, given the time constraints that the Committee had, we are content to publish the report. We will go through it stage by stage, but the Committee has not come to a consensus. Members are going to take the next few days to consider the report and the details of the legislative consent memorandum (LCM) further. The debate will be next week in the Chamber.
We have considered the Committee's draft report in private session, but, for the record, we are going to go through it section by section. The first one is powers and membership. Are members agreed with that section, or are there any points of clarification or accuracy?
Members indicated assent.
The Chairperson (Mr Butler): The next one is a list of abbreviations and acronyms used in the report. Are members agreed with that section, or are there any matters that anybody wants to draw to my attention, including points of accuracy?
Members indicated assent.
The Chairperson (Mr Butler): The next section is background paragraphs, which are paragraphs 1-8. Are members agreed with the background in terms of accuracy, or are there any points of clarity?
Members indicated assent.
The Chairperson (Mr Butler): The next stage is the Committee consideration of the legislative consent memorandum. The first part of that is the Committee meeting on 12 June, which is paragraphs 9-18. Are members content that that is an accurate reflection?
Members indicated assent.
The Chairperson (Mr Butler): The next one is the Committee meeting that was held on 19 June, which is paragraphs 19-45. Are members content that the summary captures that meeting accurately?
Members indicated assent.
The Chairperson (Mr Butler): We then have the position in other jurisdictions, which is detailed in paragraphs 46-48. Are members content that they have seen that?
Members indicated assent.
The Chairperson (Mr Butler): We then reported on the Committee meeting on 26 June, which is at paragraphs 49-60. That is a summary of today's meeting. Can you remember that far back? I hope that you are content with the discussions today and how that is being captured.
Members indicated assent.
The Chairperson (Mr Butler): On the conclusion, are members agreed that that section be included, or would you like to add or look at any changes to that? You detailed at the start of the session what the Committee's position is on that.
Members indicated assent.
Members indicated assent.
The Chairperson (Mr Butler): No changes were noted there, but the Clerk and the team will do a final read-through. If there are any inaccuracies, whether grammar or spelling, those will be reported to you guys, and the report will be laid with the Business Committee by close of play tomorrow, 27 June 2025. Do you wish to see the report by email before tomorrow for final approval, members?
Members indicated assent.
The Committee Clerk: The only thing that I will add to the conclusion is what you said at the start about the lack of consensus.
The Chairperson (Mr Butler): There is a lack of consensus, but that was really due to time constraints. There are a number of anomalies in the LCM when it comes to applicability. We will hear more about those in the debate next week. Members, thank you very much with your help with that.