Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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148. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress and status of the horse-drawn carriage Bill; when he expects pre-legislative scrutiny to take place; and when the heads of the Bill will be published. [48192/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Unlike other local authorities in the country, Dublin City Council lacks the power to regulate and set standards for horse-drawn carriages. 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 as planned in 2020 due to the need to prioritise work in other areas in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this work is once again progressing and officials from my Department are 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.

The development of legislation of this nature, which involves the repeal of legislation which pre-dates the foundation of the State, is complex and technical and so I am unable to provide a definitive timeline for the completion of this work. However, once the current process of stakeholder engagement has been satisfactorily completed, I plan to seek approval from Government to publish the finalised General Scheme without delay. Naturally, once the General Scheme has been published I will be in touch with the Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications in relation to pre-legislative scrutiny.