Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 35: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food the recourse open to a horse owner whose animals were alleged to have been severely abused by a trainer with residential stable facilities; the legislation which governs such a series of events; the bodies responsible for monitoring and enforcing the legislation; the provision made for compensation in the event of income loss and proven abuse; his views that policy and legislation in this regard is inadequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17617/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This question is similar to Priority Question No. 28, as it deals with the welfare of horses and my Department's responsibility in this regard. If people have specific complaints and they think their horses or somebody else's horses have been or are being abused, they should report that to the Garda, which has an obligation to act on the complaint if there is evidence to suggest animal welfare legislation is being breached. We are trying to consolidate legislation in this area and, hopefully, everybody will see this before the end of the year to address problems in this area. We will debate this issue again when the legislation is published and processed by the House.

It is my intention to introduce comprehensive animal welfare legislation, which will address any ambiguity and lack of understanding that may exist because of the various Bills that are the responsibility of different Departments.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am familiar with the details of this case, as is the Department. The previous Minister was also familiar with them. The man affected has described an horrific series of events regarding how his horses were abused in training. It is not good enough to refer people to the Garda in cases such as this.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Deputy please put a question? We are running out of time.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Minister consider a meeting between his officials and this man as part of the review of the inadequacy of the existing legislation? We would end up with much tighter animal welfare legislation, particularly as it pertains to horses. The officials would see the gaps in the current legislation.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person to whom we are referring is Mr. William Treacy. He has been in correspondence with my Department for some time, long before I came along. I have spoken to my officials in this regard and they have tried to be as comprehensive as they can in the context of what my Department can do but we are limited under the legislation available to us. My Department does not have legal responsibility for horses in racing stables and if there is a case to be made, it should be made to the Garda. We gave him that advice. Everybody, including Mr. Treacy, will have an opportunity to lobby and to express his or her opinion or concern when the animal welfare Bill is published. I look forward to hearing what he has to say. I am an approachable Minister, as I hope people have experienced, and I am willing to speak to him in the same way as anybody else who feels he or she has a significant contribution to make to the Bill.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My problem is that because of the inadequacy of the current legislation, Mr. Treacy has no recourse for what happened to his animals. Owners such as him do not have direct sight of their horses and they cannot know whether they are being well trained. There is no monitoring, yet he is legally responsible for the welfare of his horses. Due to the lack of legislation, it is wrong that a person like Mr. Treacy should be left to his own devices and abandoned by the State, in the sense of going to the guards and hoping that everything will be all right.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is not a case of going to the guards and hoping that everything will be all right. As recently as 27 May, senior officials from my Department met with Mr. Treacy to discuss his case and his concerns. There is no lax attitude towards animal welfare in my Department. Actually, it is full of animal lovers. In case anybody misunderstands the situation, we have tried to help Mr. Treacy, but we are limited under law in what we can do. When we put new legislation in place, we will publish it before it is introduced here and there will be an opportunity for consultation with people who have experience of animal welfare issues, such as Mr. Treacy, and we will try to take on board his concerns. I am not sure that meeting me or anyone else in the Department will progress the issue any further until we have a Bill on the table.