Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1745. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that will be taken to ensure enforcement of current legislation regarding the control and welfare of horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45280/25]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1746. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the considerations underway regarding an update to legislation on the control and welfare of horses, specifically regarding unnecessary suffering and endangerment to the welfare of horses; if enforceable sanctions will be a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45281/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1745 and 1746 together.

The Control of Horses Act, 1996 was introduced to provide for the control of horses and to make provision for the licencing of horses in urban and other areas where horses cause a danger or nuisance to people or property.  Enforcement of the act is a matter for the local authorities.  The Act is currently under review within my Department, with work progressing on this primary, replacement, legislation. A public consultation has also been completed. 

There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare and to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. In this regard, my Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, local authorities, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified.  

My Department also operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are: 

Helpline Phone No:  01 607 2379.

Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie