John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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1747. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress he has made in providing additional resources to improving traceability and animal welfare in the equine industry, as outlined in the Programme for Government; the actions he is taking to improve the enforcement of existing laws that prohibit unauthorised sulky racing and animal abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45290/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Traceability is essential to the protection of horses. Gaps in traceability allow for neglect and mistreatment without accountability. I have committed resources to improving our equine traceability system which will ensure our horses’ health and welfare are protected throughout their lives.

On Wednesday the 20 August 2025 I published a status report on my action plan to deliver the recommendations of the Wall Report. The plan, published 5 months ago in March of this year, set out an ambitious roadmap of 38 actions under 5 headings to rebuild Ireland’s equine traceability system in line with the proposed reforms of Professor Wall. The headings are:

• Ensure owner accountability through better traceability
• Stricter enforcement of equine identification and registration legislation
• Highest level of protection for horses at end of life
• Maximising the benefits of scientific and technology innovation
• Strong communication and influence

The use of all vehicles on public roads, including animal-drawn vehicles such as sulkies, is governed by the relevant provisions of the Roads and Road Traffic Acts. The practice of holding unauthorised races of any kind, including sulky races, on public roads which are open to traffic is dangerous. The Roads Act 1993 requires anyone intending to hold, organise or promote a road race to give at least one month's notice in writing to the road authority and to the Garda Síochána.  The road authority may then prohibit or impose conditions on such races.  Anyone who contravenes the requirement to give notice, or comply with any prohibition or conditions is guilty of an offence. Road racing without a written submission to the Garda Síochána as laid down in the Roads Act 1993 is illegal. Enforcement of the provisions of the Roads Act with regard to both authorised and unauthorised races is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.  The Act is kept under constant review.  My Department continues to enforce the Animal Health and Welfare Act along with An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, and authorised officers from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

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 e-mail 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