Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The letter and petition have been drawn up by professional carriage drivers and owners who were operating under license from Dublin City Council. They want to be part of a system that is legal. They want to know that they are covered under the by-laws. It has been six months since Deputy O'Sullivan raised this matter. The Minister's reply to Deputy O'Sullivan stated that he would ensure the matter would be given due consideration. This would include further engagement with An Garda Síochána, Dublin City Council and others mentioned by the Deputy, including the carriage drivers and My Lovely Horse Rescue, a group involved with the carriage drivers. They are trying to bring in horse welfare measures that are robust.

If the 1853, 1854 and 1855 Acts are repealed quickly then we can enable the council to bring in the by-laws or else introduce measures under the Road Traffic Act 2016 to allow the NTA to take over this area. The Minister must move on this. These people have been in a lacuna since September of last year. They want to be responsible and encourage other carriage drivers to be responsible and to look after their horses as well. This is not about animal welfare - these drivers look after their horses.

The Minister referred to other Acts including the Animal Health and Welfare Act and the Control of Horses Act. Those Acts are highly questionable because they are not implemented and a great deal of work remains to be done around them. Will the Minister meet representatives of My Lovely Horse Rescue and the carriage drivers to talk to them about what needs to be done and what the Minister will do about this?

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