Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
484. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the publication of the new Animal Welfare Strategy 2026-2030; if it will contain stronger provisions against improper and illegal use of horses on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13810/26]
View answerThe term of Ireland’s first ever Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 -Working Together for Animal Welfare approached conclusion towards the end of 2025.
In 2025 a process was initiated to develop a new animal welfare strategy, which will act as a framework for engagement and collaboration to direct future activities with the aim of benefiting both animals and Irish society.
Development of the strategy is now well underway following broad stakeholder engagement including a public consultation that was launched on November 19th and ran to January 2nd.
My Department will work through the issues arising from this consultation and other issues in this area as my Department develops a final document.
The new strategy will continue to adopt a ‘One Health, One Welfare’ approach, acknowledging and valuing the inter-dependencies between human, animal and environmental health, and taking an evidence-led approach to policy making, target-setting, monitoring and evaluation.
With specific reference to the issue of sulky racing, their use on public roads, as with the use of all vehicles is governed and adjudicated on 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.
