Sinn Féin TDs Máire Devine and Mark Ward have introduced legislation to regulate Dublin’s horse carriages.
The Dublin South Central and Dublin Mid-West TDs have said that the grey area surrounding horse carriages needs to be addressed.
Devine said, “for years now the Department of Transport, Dublin City Council, and An Garda Síochána have been aware that the rules and enforcement around Dublin’s horse carriage industry are conflicting, outdated, inconsistent, and inadequate.”
“Despite asking the Minister for Transport for years for meaningful steps to fix the problem, no action has been taken. It’s long past time to address these failures to improve public safety and clean up our streets,” she said.
Devine noted that concerns have been raised with the Department of Transport and Dublin City Council as far back as 2019, yet the legislation surrounding horse carriages dates back to 1853.
“Without updating or repealing that Victorian law, Dublin City Council says it cannot re-introduce modern bylaws, and the government has not even started consultations to draft new legislation.”
“Reputable carriage owners warn that without action, a pedestrian death is possible. Residents are frustrated by piles of horse manure outside their homes and by anti-social behaviour and mistreatment of horses by unlicensed operators,” she said.
“Dublin’s inner city needs this legal gap closed and an end to the current hands-off approach from DCC, so I am proud to co-author this legislation with my colleague Deputy Mark Ward.”
Ward, who serves as the party’s Dublin spokesperson, said that the legislation was overdue.
“Dublin has a long-standing cultural tradition of proper urban horsemanship, and horse-drawn carriage rides are a well-known part of the south inner city’s character,” he said.
“It is disappointing to see this tradition being undermined by gaps in regulation and arcane Victorian legislation.”
The Dublin Mid-West TD noted, “right now, licenced carriage operators who meet Dublin City Council’s standards and requirements under the old bylaws, are now working alongside unlicensed ones who don’t have any certification.”
“Without proper oversight, both animal welfare and the upkeep of the city suffer,” he said.
“After years of being ignored by the Department of Transport, Sinn Féin have listened to local residents, carriage operators, and animal rights organisations to author this legislation to ensure that the horse carriage industry is regulated and that our city is properly looked after.”
Ward noted that the Bill itself may be delayed until September, as the government are looking to push forward their own legislation prior to the Dáil summer recess.