Terms of Reference

• To identify ways in which the welfare of companion animals can be further improved and to prioritise areas requiring attention.
• At the request of the Minister/Department, to consider and advise on proposals for EU and national legislation relating to companion animals.
• To consider ways of increasing public awareness and development and dissemination of information relating to welfare of companion animals.
• To provide any other advice relevant to the welfare of companion animals as the Minister may seek from time to time.

Frequency of Meetings

As required to consider specific issues/proposals and in any event at least four times a year.

Back-up

Secretariat will be provided by the Department.

Other Aspects

• Quorum: a quorum should be set by the Council which would ensure that meetings would not be properly constituted without the presence of a sufficient number of members to reflect the spectrum of interests.
• Sub-groups: the Council should be empowered to establish sub-groups to address particular issues or for other purposes, as it sees fit.
• Internet: the Council should establish its own website, with links to those of each of its participating bodies.
• Reports of Meetings: meetings of the Council should be minuted and an agreed text of the minutes (or abstract therefrom) should be posted on the Council’s website.
• Submissions: the Council should be entitled to seek submissions (oral or written) from interested parties to assist in its work.
• Annual report/commentary: the Council should be afforded the opportunity of producing an annual report or commentary, which might be published on its website and included as an Appendix to the DAFM Annual Report and Outlook.