62. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the enforcement powers available under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 are sufficient to protect horses being used on public roads; whether his Department has conducted any review of horse welfare risks associated with horse-drawn vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43413/26]

66. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Justice; Home Affairs and Migration regarding the operation of the Control of Horses Act 1996 as it relates to horses being used on public roads; his views on whether the current legislative framework provides adequate powers to safeguard animal welfare and public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43414/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 66 together.

Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government.

My Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and takes this matter most seriously. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner and remain committed to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.

My Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, local authorities, and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified. My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the areas of animal welfare, the law and having regard to the practical lessons learnt from operating the Act.

Since the introduction of the Act, approximately 1,000 staff within my Department have been designated as authorised officers, under the Act. A large number of these authorised officers are based in my Department’s network of Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country, providing nationwide coverage.

The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. It must be emphasised that primary responsibility for the health and welfare of equines lies with the owner or keeper.

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.

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 use of all vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, on public roads, is governed by the relevant provisions of the Roads and Road Traffic Acts. Matters in connection with this legislation are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. In addition, the drivers of all vehicles used on public roads, including horse-drawn carriages, are required to comply with road traffic legislation and to behave in a safe manner paying due care to other road users. The enforcement of such road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána, who have responsibility in relation to prosecutions regarding breaches of this legislation. I have begun a process of engaging with my colleagues the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on examining the issue of regulation of horse-drawn vehicles on public roads.

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 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.

All reports of alleged cruelty or neglect received by my Department are investigated and appropriate action is taken.