Ms Barbara Bent:

I have grave concerns about the number of donkeys involved in the disadvantaged areas scheme. I think the last figure was 2,280. If the scheme is scrapped - we believe it may be - we will have to deal with a huge number of donkeys. We, therefore, need a proactive approach before the scheme is scrapped to decide what is to happen to them.

Sulky road racing is one of my pet problems. If we are reviewing the control of horses, it is not the actual racing that is the problem but the training. We are sitting on another time bomb in about five counties. One of these days one of the ponies will run away on a main road and there will be a major incident in which people might be killed. From an animal welfare perspective, the number of horses injured sends a very bad message to tourists. People travelling in double-decker buses rang our helpline and centre in Mallow to complain when they saw six-month old foals trotting up and down side roads and byroads with two or three kids on them. People abroad think we are absolutely crazy in Ireland to allow such a carry-on on main and side roads. It sends a very bad message to visitors from an animal welfare perspective.