Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On a related matter, there are a number of reasons the numbers have dropped significantly. A major problem arose post the boom in that there were a huge number of horses in the system that became surplus to requirement. With the passing of the animal health and welfare legislation, before they are released horses that are impounded should be micro-chipped and anybody who reclaims them must have a name and address to ensure that in the event they are re-impounded, we can take decisions on whether they should be released or taken out of the system.

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