Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
443. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the number of prosecutions in the past five years specifically related to sulky racing and related offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29523/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSulky racing and related issues are primarily animal welfare-related. Legislation concerning animal welfare and its implementation fall within the remit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
With regard to any criminal behaviour related to sulky racing, including road traffic and safety violations, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the direction and control of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters, which incorporates road traffic enforcement.
In this regard, all road users are subject to road traffic legislation and I would encourage anyone who has knowledge of a criminal act, or believes that a criminal act may have occurred, to contact their local/nearest Garda station to report this.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is no structured crime / offence category or arrest reason specific to sulky racing on the PULSE system.
Prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who is independent in the performance of her functions. As such the DPP are not a body under my remit and I have no role in the operations, functions, oversight or governance of the Office of the Director.
Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
As Minister, I have no role in these matters. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
