Animal Welfare

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Questions (440)

Clare Daly

Question:

440. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether Wicklow County Council overstepped its remit under the Control of Horses Act on 4 December 2013 by seizing 63 horses from private lands, in the National Asset Management Agency, at a cost of approximately €60,000 to the taxpayer, where the owner of the horses had used that land for 25 years by agreement with the previous landowner and the animals were not causing any nuisance or danger. [33105/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the Control of Horses Act 1996 the Oireachtas has given Local Authorities extensive powers, including powers for the enactment of bye-laws for the control and welfare of horses in the local authorities’ functional area and, by extension, protection of persons and property. My Department provides financial support to local authorities to assist their work in implementing the Act. In the case in question, Wicklow County Council acted within its powers under the Control of Horses Act. Matters relating to land ownership should be taken up directly with Wicklow County Council.