Vol. 415 No. 3
19 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Justice if he will introduce a system requiring that all horses maintained in urban areas should be ear-tagged and registered in order to eliminate the widespread difficulties caused by wandering horses.
As I have stated in response to previous questions of this nature, my responsibility for wandering or straying animals, including horses, is limited to providing for the impounding of such animals where necessary and to overseeing the law on civil liability for damage caused by animals. These areas of the law were up-dated and improved by the Animals Act, 1985, and I am satisfied that, so far as my limited area of responsibility is concerned, an adequate legislative structure is in place.
I do not have responsibility for issues such as the welfare, registration or control of animals. Those issues should be taken up with the appropriate Departments.
Would the Minister agree that this is a very serious problem, resulting in some cases in loss of life and damage to vehicles? Does the Minister believe that his Department can do anything over and above implementing the provisions contained in the Act?
I share the Deputy's concern in relation to this problem which is experienced to a varying degree in every constituency. As regards the implementation of the 1985 Act, the Garda are doing everything possible. It is quite possible there is need for a review of this matter but such a review would not be carried out by the Department of Justice.
The greatest difficulty for the Garda and indeed the personnel in charge of animal pounds is in tracing owners and making people responsible for seized animals. Would the Minister accept that the only way to overcome that problem would be to introduce a system of marking and registration and that the most successful way to do this would be to freeze-mark rather than to ear-tag animals, in view of the information we are learning from a tribunal at another location in terms of the ease with which ear tags can be removed?
There is merit in freeze-marking but I am no expert on this subject and I do not want to make judgements as to the best way forward. However, this is a matter that is worthy of examination. The Department of Justice are implementing the provisions of the Act, and I acknowledge the Deputy's point, that one of the problems is knowing who owns some of these animals.
I am disappointed with the Minister's complacency on the effect of the 1985 legislation. Would the Minister not agree that a control of horses Bill should be introduced to control the sale of horses to young people in inner city areas? Horses are running riot in the streets and apart from the damage and injury caused it is very cruel to the horses. Would the Minister say when he is going to address this problem?
First, I want to refute the suggestion of complacency. I can be accused of many things but I am not complacent on any issue. The Deputy can rest assured that all the resources available to the Garda will be put into implementing the law. If the Deputy feels there is a need for changes in the Act, I suggest he asks the appropriate Minister.
Will the Minister indicate which Minister is responsible for this area?
The Deputy should put down a question on that.
