Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role of the Turf Club in relation to a complaint relating to the welfare of horses while in training with a licensed trainer in view of the fact that he referred to this matter in Parliamentary Question No. 563 of 21 February 2012, and the reason in a parliamentary question on a similar matter, Parliamentary Question No. 582 of 21 February 2012, regarding horses in training he only referred to the option of reporting matters to the Garda or instituting civil proceedings and there was no reference to the Turf Club in that reply; if he will clarify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12446/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Turf Club is a private body which, together with Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHSC), is responsible for the making and enforcing of the Rules of Racing in Ireland. An individual wishing to make a complaint relating to the welfare of horses while in training with licensed trainers has a number of avenues open to them. They may submit a complaint to The Turf Club, report the matter to the Gardaí and/or institute civil proceedings.

My Department's responsibility, which is set down in legislation, extends to the welfare and protection of farmed animals only i.e. animals normally bred or kept for the production of food or for use in or for the purpose of farming. The relevant legislation in this area is the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations 2010, SI 311 of 2010. Animals "used in competitions/shows, cultural or sporting events or activities while so being used" are outside the scope of SI 311 of 2010. Accordingly it is clear that the complaints forwarded by the named individual to my Department are not covered by this legislation and thus fall outside the remit of the Department.

The principal statutes governing cruelty to all animals including race horses, in this country is the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965. Responsibility for enforcing this legislation rests with An Garda Síochána who may, on receipt of a complaint, investigate and bring a prosecution against any person alleged to have committed an offence under these Acts.