Questions

793. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he will confirm the number of cattle and pregnant heifers exported aboard a vessel (details supplied); the veterinary checks that were conducted regarding fitness for transport, vessel suitability and weather conditions; the safeguards monitor animal welfare during the voyage and after arrival; and whether he will consider s…

766. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has approved the loading of approximately 5,000 cattle at Greenore Port onto the livestock vessel MV Saleh scheduled to arrive on or about 10 March 2026; the destination country for these cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21966/26]

767. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department is aware that the livestock vessel MV Saleh (details supplied) has recently transported cattle shipments primarily to Israel; whether the Department expects the cattle being loaded in Greenore Port to be exported to that destination; whether any conditions have been attached to the export licence in this regar…

768. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that the MV Saleh has the capacity to transport up to 5,000 cattle; whether this represents the largest livestock export shipment to depart from Ireland to date; the additional welfare oversight measures that will be in place given the scale of the consignment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21968…

769. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific animal welfare inspections, veterinary supervision, and stocking density requirements that will apply to the transport of cattle on the MV Saleh; whether Department officials will be present during loading at Greenore Port; and how compliance with EU animal transport regulations will be monitored during the voyage, give…

770. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he has considered the appropriateness of permitting the export of live cattle to the Middle East region at a time when charter aircraft are reportedly being organised to repatriate Irish citizens from the region; if he will outline the Government's policy considerations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the …

771. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the Department intends to review Ireland's policy on long-distance live animal exports following the proposed shipment of up to 5,000 cattle on the MV Saleh; if he will outline plans to strengthen oversight or introduce further restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21971/26]

483. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dedicated livestock vessel used to transport the 117 pregnant heifers exported from Ireland to Libya on 5 January 2025, including the name of the vessel on which the animals were shipped from Spain; whether this vessel will be authorised for use from Ireland under Irish and EU animal welfare and transport standards; the total du…

1786. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the 117 dairy heifers exported to Libya on 5 January 2025 were pregnant at the time of export; the procedures which were followed to verify their gestation stage in accordance with EC Regulation 1/2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74099/25]

1787. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the journey log for 5 January 2025 Libya shipment lists Murcia, Spain as the destination; to provide details of the method of transport from Spain to Libya, including whether a livestock vessel was used and whether it complied with the Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulation 2016; and if he will make a statement on the m…

1788. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm whether all 117 heifers arrived safely in Libya; the details of any injuries, illnesses, or mortalities during transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74101/25]

1789. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the route, means of transport, duration, and veterinary supervision for the 287 unweaned dairy calves exported to Libya in May 2025, including the journey from France to Libya; the measures taken to ensure compliance with EC Regulation 1/2005 on feeding and rest intervals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74102/25]

1790. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm whether all 287 unweaned calves arrived safely in Libya; the details of any injuries, illnesses, or mortalities during the journey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74103/25]

1791. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process used by his Departments veterinary inspectors to verify that in-calf heifers exported to Algeria on 15 November 2025 had less than 90% of their expected gestation completed; the way in which the fitness for transport of pregnant cows is assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74104/25]

1792. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures which are taken to ensure the safety of calves if a birth occurs during transit, including space allocation for pregnant cows, and whether any cows gave birth during the recent shipment to Algeria; and if so, whether the cows and calves arrived safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74105/25]

1793. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any cows died during the recent shipment to Algeria; and if so, the cause of death; the way in which carcasses were disposed of; whether any efforts were made to save calves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74106/25]

1794. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether veterinary supervision was present during loading at Waterford Port; the reason animals with lameness were permitted to board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74107/25]

1795. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps which were taken to ensure safe transport of exported heifers from the port of arrival to the final destination in Algeria, including vehicle compliance with EC Regulation 1/2005, rest breaks; the action which will be taken against exporters using vehicles that do not meet legal standards; and if he will make a statement …

865. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position on the live export of Irish animals to countries outside the European Union, given the serious welfare concerns regarding the transport and slaughter of animals in destination countries where no enforceable animal welfare framework exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63374/25]

866. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that there have been only four live export shipments to non-EU countries this year, involving approximately 9,000 cattle out of a total of 325,000 exported, and given that cattle prices are currently high, his views that the limited economic benefit of these exports justifies the serious welfare risks animals fac…

867. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider phasing out live exports of animals to non-EU countries and instead support the development of domestic or EU-based processing and slaughter capacity to reduce animal transport distances and improve welfare outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63376/25]