Protect Service Animals in Northern Ireland

*Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill (Northern Ireland) 2021 will go through Accelerated Passage*.

Further to my email to Mr. Andrews, DAERA please see his response -

" Many thanks for your email. I am very pleased to advise that a number of processes have been completed which will facilitate the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill.

I can advise that Minister Poots has considered the consultation analysis and has taken the matter to the Executive for consideration.

I can further advise, that the officials have presented the findings of the consultation to the NI Assembly Agriculture and Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee, in line with established requirements.  Following the presentation by officials, Minster Poots also appeared before the Committee, to seek the Committees’ support for using the accelerated passage mechanism.

Finally, the Executive endorsed the policy and draft Bill on 21 October. This means that the Department is now in the position to publish the response document in the coming days. As a consultee, you will receive the response document directly.

Furthermore, the Minister will now seek to introduce the Service Animals Bill to the Assembly as soon as possible."