asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that prosecutions have been instituted in the courts against farmers for leading horses on the right-hand side of the road and if, in view of the fact that a horse, when led, can only be safely controlled in that way, he will take steps to have the law amended by the introduction of proposals for legislation or otherwise to prevent such prosecutions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Horses Led on Roads.
This matter is governed by the General By-laws for the Control of Traffic which were made under the Road Traffic Act in 1937 by the Commissioner of the Garda with the approval of the Minister for Local Government. These by-laws provide that horses must be led on the left-hand side of the road in the same way as all other traffic.
I have asked the Commissioner to reexamine the matter.
Will the Minister bring to the notice of the Commissioner the fact that any person who is right-handed must lead a horse on the right-hand side of the road in order to remain between the horse and the traffic as the only safe way of leading a horse?
The Minister is aware that whether a man is right-handed or left-handed he should lead the horse on the right-hand side of the road at all times for the safety of the man, the horse and the traffic.
Is the Minister aware that in recent weeks there have been a good number of prosecutions in which people have been fined heavily for doing what the Minister says they should do?
I am aware that that is the law at the moment. This regulation was made in 1937 and I have no responsibility for it.
Who made the Order?
Two experts were engaged in the preparation of the Order at the time.
Experts!