Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2026
45. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to address the misuse of animal-drawn vehicles, including sulkies on public roads and the penalties for misuse of the same. [38232/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will regulate the use of animal-drawn vehicles on public roads; if any such measures will include a complete ban on sulky racing on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38231/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 58 together.
All road users, including drivers of animal-drawn vehicles, are subject to road traffic legislation which is enforced by An Garda Síochána.
Under section 74 of the Roads Act 1993, it is possible to prescribe classes of road races for which relevant local authority approval, as the road authority, must be sought in advance, and for which there can then be road closures. Under this section, road race means a prescribed class of race, time trial or speed trial on a public road involving persons, vehicles or animals. A race which falls within prescribed classes and is not licensed is illegal, with penalties for the organiser. I understand that no classes of race have ever been prescribed under this section.
In a situation where there is an illegal race, with no notice given, it is a matter for An Garda Síochána to enforce under section 74(4) of the Roads Act 1993.
Participants in sulky racing are liable for any road traffic offences they may commit. In many cases of sulky racing there is also considerable danger caused by vehicles following the race and in some cases driving alongside on the other side of the road. In these cases too the drivers can be held liable under the Road Traffic Acts.
Animal welfare issues in relation to sulky racing are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
