Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)

Dublin has a long-standing cultural tradition of proper urban horsemanship. Horse-drawn carriage rides are a well-known part of the south inner city and in and around the Liberties. It goes back centuries. In fact, I was going through the 1911 census and I was very surprised but delighted to see I had relations back then who were horse-drawn carriage drivers in and around Dublin. It is disappointing to see this tradition being undermined by gaps in regulations and archaic Victorian legislation.

Right now, we have licensed carriage drivers who meet Dublin City Council's standards and requirements under the old by-laws working alongside unlicensed carriage drivers. This has led to a Wild West situation, where unregulated, irresponsible carriage drivers are operating in our city. We have all seen the terrifying video of a terrified horse going down O'Connell Street during rush hour. We have also seen tourists being ripped off by unscrupulous carriage drivers overcharging them. It is not uncommon now to go into Temple Bar at 2 a.m. - not that I would be in Temple Bar at 2 a.m. but I have seen the videos of it - and see a horse bringing drunken tourists from one part to another. This does not sit right with me on many levels. There have also been reports of illegal activity, including drug dealing on these horse-drawn carriages.

Right now, if you want to drive a horse in Dublin city and pick up passengers for a fare, all you need is a horse and carriage. You do not need a licence, there are no regulations around horse welfare and nobody checks on the condition of the carriages. We need regulations now to put manners on these cowboys. Without proper oversight, both animal welfare and the upkeep of our city will suffer. I and Deputy Devine have met with responsible horse-drawn carriage drivers who want to be regulated. They care for their horses and are supported by animal welfare groups. I meet with them regularly and they tell me they fear a pedestrian, passenger or horse will be killed on our streets if action is not taken.

Dublin City Council also has a lot to answer for. It has allowed a lacuna to develop. Instead of supporting the responsible horse-drawn carriage drivers, DCC has made things more difficult. It has placed planters on the road where carriage drivers park on St. Stephen's Green. Next time you walk around St. Stephen's Green, you will see where the horse-drawn carriage drivers are and the planters put there to make things more difficult for those drivers. Our councillor on DCC, Kourtney Kenny, is working hard to resolve this.

Government committed to regulating this industry back in 2019. It is now 2026, and nothing has happened. That is why Sinn Féin has introduced this legislation today and seeks Government's support. We want to see proper governance of horse welfare, Dublin city streets and safeguarding of Dublin's culture.

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