Fergus O'Dowd
Question:458. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will respond to a query from a person (details supplied). [33932/14]
View answerWednesday, 17 September 2014
Questions (458)
Written answers
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, Louth County Council has made bye-laws declaring the Cooley commonage a "control area" where all horses are required to be micro-chipped and licensed, with the objective of assisting with control of horses, particularly with regard to horses that are straying and or abandoned, so as to prevent injury or nuisance to persons, particularly hill walkers or damage to property.