asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the growing annouance and disappointment of residents in Finglas, Dublin 11, arising from the unprecedented numbers of wandering horses; the number of prosecutions in Finglas, Dublin 11 in respect of such offences from 1 June 1988 to date; if the introduction of owner identity marks facilitate in the prosecution of offending owners; the numbers of such animals from the area impounded since 1 June 1988; the reason the number is not greater and more reflective of the meance of this offence; the measures which he proposes taking in order that the lives of the people can be protected and their growing fears allayed; and the way in which the position can be improved.
Written Answers. - Wandering Horses.
85.
I refer the Deputy to my reply yesterday to Question No. 45 about the problem caused by wandering horses in a number of areas in Dublin, including Finglas.
I wish to make the point that the impounding of wandering animals is not a matter for the Garda only. It is a function which is conferred by statute on the local authorities also. The Garda have to cope with very heavy demands on the wide range of services which they provide, and priority has to be given to certain aspects of their work — for example the prevention and detection of serious crime. There is therefore a limit to the amount of Garda time and resources that can be allocated to dealing with the problem caused by wandering animals. These problems are fully recognised of course and the Garda have informed me that they are taking all practicable steps that they can to deal with them. But the local authorities have a major role in the matter too, as provided for in the relevant statutory provisions.
There is no pound in the vicinity of Finglas and the impounding of animals found wandering in the area is dependent on the provision of transport facilities by the local authority. In reply to a previous question by the Deputy on 21 June last I indicated that the Garda authorities had said that a recent undertaking from Dublin Corporation to provide improved transport facilities for the impounding of animals in Finglas and nearby areas should lead to an improvement in the situation. However, the Garda authorities have informed me that certain difficulties in relation to the provision of such facilities have been encountered by Dublin Corporation and that this has affected the level of impounding of horses found wandering in this area. Since 1 June last there have been nine such impoundings and there have been no prosecutions for offences involving horses wandering in the area. Urgent discussions are taking place between the Garda authorities and Dublin Corporation with a view to resolving the difficulties referred to as soon as possible.
The provision of additional pounds is a matter for the local authority concerned. I understand that the question of providing a pound in north Dublin has been raised with Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council by the County Registrar who also has functions in this matter.