2. Mr Chambers asked the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether his Department has considered introducing a ban on the ownership of XL bully dogs, following the ban recently announced in the Republic of Ireland. (AQO 752/22-27)

I have enacted legislation to restrict and control the ownership of XL bully dogs, and I am pleased that my ministerial colleague in the Republic of Ireland has moved to align legislation across the island. I understand that the rules there will broadly mirror the legal requirements that are already in place here and in the rest of the UK. For example, breeding, selling and rehoming XL bully dogs will be prohibited in the Republic of Ireland from 1 October 2024, matching the legal restrictions that I introduced here on 5 July.

It will be illegal to own an XL bully dog in the Republic of Ireland without a certificate of exemption from 1 February 2025, which is one month after it will become illegal here. In the Republic of Ireland, the certificates will be issued only to owners who can prove that their dog has a licence and is microchipped and neutered. That is broadly in line with the conditions for exemption that I introduced in Northern Ireland.

Minister, when you brought the matter before the House in March, I asked a supplementary question about my concerns about dogs in residential settings. We agreed that there was "no perfect solution", but you said that you "could not live" with yourself if you did not do something. You brought forward that legislation, and I know that those words were spoken with sincerity. Given the number of fatalities and serious maulings, in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, in recent months in residential settings —

Mr Chambers, is there a question, please?

— will the Minister perhaps reflect on whether the perfect solution might be a complete ban on those dogs?

I am aware of the Member's ongoing concerns about potential attacks by XL bully dogs in residential settings. The safeguards that I introduced are aimed at protecting public safety. Placing legal restrictions on a dog in the home is neither feasible, practical nor enforceable and would severely impinge upon an owner's ability to look after and enjoy time with their dog in a private dwelling. The fact is that all dog owners are responsible for controlling their dog whether they are in public or private settings. My Department continues to promote responsible dog ownership, and I urge all dog owners to educate themselves about their dog's needs and to be aware of changes in behaviour or temperament. If Assembly colleagues or stakeholders advocating for further legislation to provide protection in a residential setting where an XL bully dog is kept can provide viable suggestions, my officials will consider any such detail received.

Given that we live on an island and that this is an issue right across it, can the Minister give us more information on the engagement that he has had with his counterparts in the South?

I met Minister Humphreys and Secretary General Mary Hurley on 22 July 2024 and had productive discussions on current issues, including the banning of XL bully dogs. My officials have also met their Republic of Ireland counterparts to discuss implementation processes and any potential cross-border issues. That engagement is ongoing. I am committed to working with Minister Humphreys and our counterpart not only on XL bully safeguards but on wider dog control issues and the promotion of dog ownership across this island.