160. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many encroachments by horses from outside the Curragh area, that is, Curragh racecourse and other associated permitted areas, have been reported in the years 2020 to 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [44563/24]

162. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a detailed list of every animal type, whether livestock, equine-sporting or domestic, currently authorised to be exercised on the Curragh Plain, County Kildare. [44565/24]

163. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to set out the process or method used to obtain authorisation to exercise animals, including horses, on the Curragh Plains; if the said authorisation is subject to renewal; and, if so, the timeline set out for renewal. [44566/24]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 162 and 163 together.

The grazing of sheep is permitted on the green and blue lands of the Curragh Plains subject to the owners of those sheep being able to prove they have an entitlement to use the grazing rights, either by virtue of their ownership of specific land parcels as specified in Schedule 1 of the original 1870 Curragh of Kildare Act, or that they have permission from one such land owner to make use of proven grazing rights for a current year. I am advised that the current available number of sheep claims is 5,997.

Other than those lands officially authorised, by agreement with the Minister for Defence, for the training and racing of thoroughbred horses (i.e. The Curragh Racecourse and Gallops), no other animals are permitted to be exercised, in accordance with the Curragh of Kildare Bye Laws, 1964. As such, the only animals permitted to exercise on Curragh lands are thoroughbred race horses. All of those horses must be registered with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). The Curragh Racecourse Limited (CRL) operates and manages the training grounds on the racecourse and other gallops around the Curragh green lands.