17/09/2025
In light of the continuous horse injuries and horse abuse in Ireland - I reached out to a TD in FG and asked them to get a response from the minister in relation to this.
The letter sent back to me is dated July 31 2025. It would appear that, once again when it comes to issues with animals it is passed onto the local authourity... Those of you in organisations applying pressure like My Lovely Horse Rescue you need to be lobbying local authorities. Which means cllrs from local authorities.
You may want to start with writing to local authorities and asking
1. how much funding the government gave them for the control of horses in their area?
2. where has the money been spent?
3. what measures are in place to stop horse abuse in their local authourity?
And cc all the councillors in that area.
As councillors mainly deal with their voters, you will need to reach out to people in that area and get them on board with a campaign to stop the horse abuse..
The below is the transcript:
I would like to thank you for your correspondence regarding sulky racing.
The use of sulkies on public roads specifically, as with the use of all vehicles, including
animal-drawn vehicles, 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
National Roads authority and to the Garda SIochána. The National Roads Authority may
then prohibit or impose conditions on such races. Anyone who contravenes the requirement
to obtain this permission is guilty of an offence.
Road racing without a written submission to the Garda SIochána 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 the Garda SIochána.
In addition to the Road Traffic Acts, local authorities also have powers under the Control of
Horses Act, 1996 to introduce by-laws regulating activities involving horses in their
respective functional areas. My Department provides funding to local authorities as a
contribution towards the costs incurred by them in operation of the Control of Horses Act,
1996. Enforcement of the Act is a matter for the relevant local authority. The Act is currently
under review within my Department.
The licensing of horse drawn carriages comes under the remit of the local authority
concerned. Regulations for horse-drawn carriages for commercial purposes are also regulated
by local authorities. The draft Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill falls under the remit of the
Minister for Transport.
In considering the animal welfare perspective, the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013
provides robust and wide-ranging protection for all animals. Anyone employing animals for
any purpose, including sulky drivers, must comply with the Act, which prohibits a person
from carrying out any activity in a manner that causes unnecessary pain and suffering or
endangerment to the health or welfare of an animal in their control. My Department regularly
reviews legislation with a view to improving it.
Aras TalmhaIochta, Sráid Chill Dara, Baile Atha Cliath 2, D02 WKI2, Eire
Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 WK12, Ireland
T +353 (0)1 607 2000 I Lo Call 0761 064400 I [email protected] I www.agriculture.gov.ie
My Department 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 [email protected]
Yours sincerely,
Martin H9n]D.
Minis& Agriculture, Food and the Marine
To lead the sustainable development of the agri-food, forestry and marine sector and to optimise its contribution to national economic development and the natural environment.
