Mr. Eoin Cullen:

Deputy Flaherty asked if there was a way to stop someone from owning a horse. That is difficult question to answer. One cannot really do so unless a person is underage. A person must be aged 16 to own a horse. There is nothing to say someone cannot own a horse regardless of whether he or she lives in a city centre or a rural area. Technically, there are rules but anyone can buy a horse and keep it once the horse has been chipped and has a passport. The owner will say that he or she will keep the horse in a stable but the grass may be in County Carlow or somewhere else. Technically, there is no way to stop a person owning a horse. It is not about stopping people from owning a horse; it is about educating them to look after a horse properly and have the proper facilities to take care of a horse. It is not about stopping an individual from having a horse unless he or she is particularly cruel and, therefore, should not own one. It is more about making sure that everyone is educated and has the facilities to take care of their horses properly. That is what we strive for.