Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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261. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to deal with the ongoing issues with regard to illegal sulky racing causing danger to road users and horses; if he will consider strengthening legislation in this area to increase protections for other road users; if he has concerns about children being in control of a horse drawn carriage on a public road; if those in control of a horse drawn carriage must follow rules of the road including mobile phone usage; if there is legislation outlining the clear restrictions on the control of sulkies on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56991/25]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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284. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to deal with the ongoing issues regarding illegal sulky racing causing danger to road users and horses; if he will consider strengthening legislation in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57688/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 284 together.

Under section 74 of the Roads Act 1993, it is possible to prescribe classes of road races for which relevant local authority approval, as the road authority, 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.

Enforcing the Roads Act in matters where a road race takes place unlawfully without the permission of the roads authority is a matter of enforcement for An Garda Siochána. In a situation where there is an illegal race, with no notice given, it is a matter for Gardaí to enforce under section 74(4) of the Roads Act 1993.

All road users are subject to road traffic legislation which is enforced by An Garda Síochána and 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 held liable under the Road Traffic Acts.

My Department is progressing a new Road Traffic Bill to support Programme for Government Commitments around road safety but there are presently no plans to legislate for sulky racing specifically.

Animal welfare issues in relation to sulky racing are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.