Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This shows what happens to an issue when responsibility for it falls between several different authorities. A terrible difficulty has arisen within that gap. Tourists and others take horse-drawn carriage rides in the mistaken assumption that the drivers are fully vetted and insured, that the carriages have been inspected and approved, that the horses are suitable to draw the carriages, that the drivers are skilled in the operation of the carriage and that regulations have been set down. That is an assumption not born out by reality of the legislation. I have met some very responsible operators. There was a very nice event held on Merrion Square, which happened to be in the rain, featuring carriages and their drivers. They are very concerned about operating in this vacuum. In the meantime, tourists assume that everything is all right. We hope that it will not take a serious accident to bring this matter to the fore. Can the various groups be brought together, perhaps under the Minister's leadership, to resolve this once and for all? The longer it goes on, the more abuses take place.

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