Written answers
Thursday, 23 November 2023
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Departmental Policies
Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to ban sulky races, particularly in light of the recent sulky races which took place on a public road in Limerick, which caused significant danger to other road users and resulted in cruelty to the horses involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51658/23]
Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under section 74 of the Roads Act 1993, it is possible to prescribe classes of road races for which local authority approval must be sought in advance, and for which there can then be road closures. A race which falls within prescribed classes and is not licensed is illegal, with penalties for the organiser. I understand that no classes of race have ever been prescribed under this section. I am aware, though, that the offence applies only to the organiser, and I understand that in many cases of sulky races there is no identifiable organiser.
In the meantime, participants in such races are liable for any road traffic offences they may commit during the races. As the Deputy will know, in many cases of sulky racing there is also considerable danger caused by vehicles following the race and in some cases driving alongside on the other side of the road. In these cases too the drivers can be help liable under the Road Traffic Acts.
Animal welfare issues are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture.
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