Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 July 2015
101. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of additional information regarding the way in which animals belonging to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare were treated by the Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland; if there has been an investigation or an examination of the facts surrounding this person's grievance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27861/15]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The Racing Regulatory Body (Irish Turf Club) is a private body charged under legislation with responsibility for the integrity and the reputation of Irish racing in Ireland and Internationally. The person named has been previously advised that his complaints in relation to the welfare of his horses fell outside the remit of the Department and that such complaints should have been addressed either as a civil matter between the person named and the other parties concerned and/or by way of reference to An Garda Síochána for investigation.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 came into operation on 6th March 2014. This has changed the legislative framework under which the Department operates. Arising from the commencement of the Act all animal welfare matters now come within the remit of the Department and the Department is in a position to investigate any such matters occurring since the commencement. However, as the Act does not have retrospective effect, matters which took place prior to 6th March 2014 and were not part of the remit of the Department at that time remain outside the Department’s competence.
I am not aware of any additional information recently made available in relation to this matter.
