Máire Devine (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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230. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when legislation will be introduced to regulate horses and horses drawing carriages in Dublin city centre. [8986/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The current legislation in operation regarding horse-drawn carriages for hire or reward in Dublin City is the Dublin Carriages Act 1853-1855. Local authorities in other areas can regulate horse-drawn carriages under the Local Government Act 2001.

Due to a provision in the Local Government Act 2001 that prevents local authorities from making bye-laws where power exists elsewhere in legislation, Dublin City Council has no legal basis currently to make bye-laws to regulate horse drawn carriages as provision already exists under the Dublin Carriages Act 1853-1855.

The development of new legislation requires the repeal of legislation which pre-dates the foundation of the State. My Department had planned to undertake stakeholder consultations in 2024 and unfortunately this has been delayed due to conflicting legislative priorities. However, work to ensure that Dublin City Council is provided with an appropriate legal basis to regulate this area is currently ongoing and the Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill is listed on the Government’s Legislative Programme for Spring 2025.

All issues regarding animal welfare should be brought to the attention of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, people in possession of a protected animal, of which horses fit this definition, must ensure the animal is kept and treated in a manner that safeguards their health and welfare. Failure to do this is considered an offence under that Act. Section 33 of the Control of Horses Act 1996 provides that An Garda Siochána may compel individuals in control of horses to obtain necessary attention from a veterinarian if the horse is in pain, distress, neglect or is severely injured, diseased or in need of veterinary attention. Failure to comply is an offence.

The drivers of all vehicles used on public roads, including horse-drawn carriages, are required to comply with road traffic legislation and to behave in a safe manner paying due care to other road users. The enforcement of such road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.