Mr. John Condon:

The only role the local authorities have relates to stray horses, that is, horses that are wandering unsupervised, out of control, on public roads or in public places. When our horse wardens detain those horses, they scan them and try to find out which database they are on if they have a chip. If we impound a horse, we will ultimately release it to the owner when he or she has paid the charges, but we will insist it be microchipped before it is released, and we will insist the owner has the necessary licence before we return the horse. In a sense, therefore, if we do impound a stray animal, we try to ensure it will at least become compliant. In the case of horses on farms, stud farms and so on that are not stray, however, we have no jurisdiction there. We would not have any jurisdiction to go onto a private farm or into any kind of horse premises, but the Department of agriculture in its role does have that right and also has the responsibility for enforcing the microchipping regulations.