Two roll on-roll off vessels are approved for the carriage of livestock and both operate from Rosslare to Cherbourg. The first vessel is approved to carry 18 livestock units and the second is authorised to carry four livestock units. Both vessels are approved for the carriage of cattle, sheep and pigs and may also carry horses under certain conditions when livestock is on board. In addition to this, eight roll on-roll off ferries have been approved by my Department for the carriage of horses from the State. Five of the vessels operate out of Dublin Port, three of which service Holyhead and two ferries service Liverpool. One roll on-roll off ferry is approved to carry horses from Dún Laoghaire. The remaining two roll on-roll off ferries are approved to carry horses on the Rosslare to Pembroke route and the Rosslare to Fishguard route.
The movement of livestock between member states of the European Union is governed, inter alia, by Council Directive 91/628/EEC. This directive obliges member states to ensure that livestock are not transported in a manner that would compromise their health or welfare. My Department has, over a period, introduced comprehensive national legislation to ensure that this requirement is respected.