Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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211. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 194 of 1 March 2022, in which he advises that things are “progressing”, if he will outline the progress that has been made since this reply was supplied in March 2022; if he will provide a timeline for when legislation will be resolved (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52759/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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. This is a complex issue which spans the responsibilities of several Departments and levels of government, as well as consultations with several stakeholders. Regulations for horse-drawn carriages for hire or reward should be aligned with any horse welfare obligations imposed by local authorities and, therefore, horse-drawn carriages for hire and reward should be regulated by local authorities, which is the intention of the current draft primary legislation. However, once the current process of stakeholder engagement has been satisfactorily completed, I will seek Government approval for the detailed drafting of a Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill which is required before it can be introduced to the Oireachtas, with a view to its eventual enactment.

Animal Welfare issues are a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. As you will be aware, the Control of Horses Act 1996 allows local authorities to introduce by-laws designating certain areas as control areas for horses.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine announced in October 2020 that it had established a dedicated Animal Welfare Division which will take the policy lead on all matters concerning animal welfare, coordinating efforts across the Department, working with other Departments and Agencies, and with stakeholders and civil society. The Division is responsible for the roll-out and delivery of Ireland’s first stand-alone Animal Welfare Strategy - Working Together for Animal Welfare, 2021-2025. The strategy covers farmed and companion animals as well as wildlife. A detailed Action Plan on which that Department is taking the lead, complements the Strategy.