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Minister Creed today announced that Cork  and Shannon Airports have been designated as approved entry points for pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering Ireland from non-EU/EEA countries. 

Cork and Shannon Airports are now added to the list of existing approved Irish “Travellers’ Points of Entry” - Dublin Airport, Rosslare Europort and Port of Cork - Ringaskiddy - through which pet dogs, cats and ferrets from non-EU/EEA countries are allowed to enter Ireland.

Minister Creed said:

This step acknowledges that increasingly, visitors to Ireland want to bring their pets – mainly dogs - with them, and would like to arrive in Ireland in Cork or Shannon.  Designating these  Airports  as points of entry for non-EU pet dogs, cats and ferrets gives these visitors  more freedom to choose their point of entry into Ireland.

This said, Ireland has been free from rabies since 1903.  My Department will remain vigilant to ensure that rabies is not introduced to Ireland through the importation of dogs, cats or ferrets.  The risk to Ireland from rabies is low, but increasing movements of animals into and throughout Europe means that we must remain vigilant.  Information on requirements for bringing pets into Ireland can be found on the pet travel section of my Department’s website.

Note for editors

Under the EU Pet Travel Regulation (Regulation 576 of 2013), EU Member States must designate specific “Travellers’ Points of Entry” – ports through which pet dogs, cats and ferrets originating in non-EU/EEA countries are permitted to enter the EU country.  Dogs, cats and ferrets are grouped together in the EU legislation because those three species are susceptible to rabies. Ireland has been free from rabies since 1903.  Further information about pet travel rules is accessible at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/, or by emailing livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie.