Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an operator of an animal-drawn vehicle for commercial purposes is required to have some form of public liability or other insurance, particularly when using public roads; how proof of insurance is ascertained; if this involves An Garda Síochána; and if there is no such requirement, if there are any plans to legislate to introduce such a requirement. [24120/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I have no role in relation to an operator of an animal-drawn vehicle for commercial purposes being required to have public liability insurance in place.

If the Deputy is referring to the regulation of horse-drawn carriages for hire or reward, 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. It 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 current draft primary legislation. Any requirements regarding public liability insurance may be specified by a local authority in secondary regulations.