asked the Minister for Justice whether he proposes to introduce any special measures to deal with the menace of wandering horses in city areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wandering Horses.
30.
I am informed by the Garda that the only area in Dublin where any significant problem is caused by wandering horses is the Finglas area. I understand that the problem there largely stems from the existence of an area of unfenced land belonging to the Dublin Corporation, where horses are turned out to graze by their owners.
The Garda have no power to enter corporation or private lands to deal with horses and can only impound horses found straying on the public roads. The question of the introduction of special measures to cope with the problem in Finglas, therefore, is, in the main, one for the Dublin Corporation.
Is the Minister aware that three people have been killed and several others injured in that area by wandering horses? It is a bit late in the day now for the Department to be indicating what the reasons are. Would the Minister for Justice not accept that the only law applying to wandering horses is one which dates back to 1851, the Summary Jurisdiction Act? Under this Act a guard is entitled to proceed against the owners of these horses but I feel that the Minister should introduce special legislation to cope with this menace.
Would the Minister accept my words, and I am sure my distinguished colleague Deputy Paddy Belton would agree with me, that he is totally misinformed in thinking that this is a problem that is confined to the Finglas area? This is a very serious problem all over the Coolock area.
All over the country.
It is motor cars they have now and not horses.
I will pass the information on to the Minister for Justice. In my reply I stated that this is the only area where this is a significant problem. I should point out that in the year ending 31st October, 1972 there were 83 prosecutions in respect of animals wandering on the roads in Finglas. Ninety six animals were impounded by the Garda during that time and 200 by Dublin Corporation officials. A very active campaign is being waged against this particular problem. There are still problems arising from the unfenced land in the ownership of Dublin Corporation. One problem is that the Garda have not authority to enter into and deal with horses on such land. Perhaps the Deputy would take this matter up with Dublin Corporation.
Would the Minister consider the introduction of an electric grid in this case. This might prove effective.
I shall pass on the Deputy's very constructive suggestion to Dublin Corporation.
I do not think the Minister is being fair in trying to hive off the responsibility to Dublin Corporation. Would he not accept that the fact that 83 prosecutions occurred this year and 150 yast year is an indication that the law is not adequate to cope with this problem? If these people are getting free grazing for £2 a year they are going to continue with it.
This arises from unfenced land on which the horses can readily be put. Dublin Corporation has not found it possible to deal with the problem created by the lack of fences.