Sinn Féin TDs Máire Devine and Mark Ward have introduced a bill which would enable Dublin City Council to introduce modern by-laws to regulate the licensing, insurance, and safety of horse-drawn carriages and horses.
The legislation would also allow Dublin City Council to responsibly dispose of manure.
Devine, TD for Dublin South Central, 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Garda Síochána have been aware that the rules and enforcement around Dublin’s horse carriage industry are conflicting, outdated, inconsistent and inadequate.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 to take meaningful steps to fix the problem, no action has been taken; it is long past time we address these failures to improve public safety and clean up our streets,” she said.
Devine said that residents have raised concerns with the Department of Transport and Dublin City Council as far back as 2019, yet legislation dating from 1853 which pertains only to Dublin horse carriages remains unchanged.
Without updating or repealing that Victorian law, Dublin City Council says it cannot re-introduce modern bylaws, and the government has not 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,” Devine said.
“Dublin’s inner city needs this legal gap to be closed and for the current hands-off approach from DCC to end. So, I am proud to co-author this legislation with my colleague Mark Ward,” she said.
Ward said, “Dublin has a long-standing cultural tradition of proper urban horsemanship, and horse-drawn carriage rides are a well-known part of the inner city’s character.”
“It is disappointing to see this tradition being undermined by gaps in regulation and arcane Victorian legislation,” the Dublin Mid-West TD said.
“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.
Ward warned that “without proper oversight, both animal welfare and the upkeep of the city suffer.”
“After years of being ignored by the Department of Transport, Sinn Féin has 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,” he said.