Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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430. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to regulate the provision of horse-drawn carriages for hire in Dublin in view of concerns for animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39726/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department devotes considerable resources to protecting animal welfare and dealing with breaches of animal welfare legislation. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 has modernised the legal framework relating to the welfare of animals.

This work is further underpinned by the Animal Welfare Helpline which my Department operates, Lo-call 076 1064408, along with a dedicated email address, AnimalWelfare@agriculture.gov.ie, which facilitates the reporting by members of the public of concerns in regard to the welfare of animals. The animal welfare hotline exists for the reporting of specific incidents relating to animal welfare which come to the attention of members of the public, which they believe need attention. All calls received are treated in confidence and all complaints received are investigated and followed up.

I am advised by Dublin City Council that the proposed regulation of horse drawn carriages is currently under review.