Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
892. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made by the Dublin region horse welfare forum on advancing horse welfare, active enforcement and legislation; and if the minutes of the meetings held and the detail of the groups represented will be provided. [36762/20]
View answerRepresentatives from my Department sit on the Dublin Regional Horse Welfare Group. My Department is strongly committed to the aims of this group and will continue to support the projects that developed from the Group. While Covid-19 has somewhat hampered the Groups activities in 2020 in the areas of outreach and education, my Department continue to collaborate with, and support the other members of the working group in the area of equine identification and welfare.
Membership of the group include
- Dublin Local Authorities - SDCC/DCC/FCC
- Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine
- An Garda Síochána
- DSPCA
- Fettercairn Youth Horse Project
- Clondalkin Equine Club
- Youth Service
- Traveller Development Groups
- Voluntary groups/rescue centres
- UCD Veterinary Services
My Department has also taken a proactive approach in tackling challenges that arise in the case of horses by developing facilities for urban and traveller horse populations and in educating young people among these communities in the care and welfare of horses. This work is done in close collaboration with the local authorities and NGOs involved.
My Department's representatives do not take formal minutes but meeting notes and action points are kept by the Local Authorities that chair the individual meeting.
