Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
384. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider the implementation of an independent oversight body for horse welfare for the horse racing industry given concerns that have been raised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31561/26]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The welfare of thoroughbreds is a matter of great importance for my Department and as a condition of the funding HRI receives, it is required to continue its work with all industry stakeholders to ensure that equine welfare is central to all its activities and to keep my Department apprised of activities in this area.
My Department is committed to the continued enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in animal health and welfare. My Department and authorised officers appointed under the Act undertake appropriate enforcement action where breaches or shortcomings are identified. Since the Act came into operation, 226 cases have been successfully prosecuted by my Department, of which 21 were in relation to equines. My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the area of animal welfare, the legislative environment more generally, and having regard to the practical lessons learned from operating the Act.
Development of a new animal welfare strategy was initiated in 2025 and in excess of 1750 individual submissions were received as part of the non-statutory public consultation. 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. I expect this strategy to be completed in Quarter 2, 2026.
My Department also 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
I am satisfied with the current arrangements that are in place and accordingly I have no plans for the introduction of an independent oversight body as suggested by the Deputy.
