Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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107. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will resolve the legal lacuna in respect of the control of horse-drawn carriages in Dublin city; and if he will ensure that the issue will be resolved in 2021 in order that the owners of horse-drawn carriages can operate within the law, given that the issue has been ongoing for three years (details supplied). [13570/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Deputy may be aware that the preparation of the necessary legislative proposals in regard to the regulation of horse-drawn carriages in Dublin is a complex issue requiring engagement by my Department with several stakeholders, including Dublin City Council. Work on this issue unfortunately did not progress in 2020 due to the need to prioritise the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I can confirm. however, that work on this issue is now progressing once more.

Unlike other local authorities in the country, Dublin City Council lacks the power to regulate and set standards for horse-drawn carriages. My Department is currently working with Dublin City Council to consider how best to safely repeal the Dublin Carriage Acts 1853-55, which vests the power to regulate horse-drawn carriages in Dublin with the Dublin Metropolitan Police Commissioners, to whom An Garda Síochána is the successor.