Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2015
698. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations that exist for sulky drivers; the age of those legally permitted to drive a sulky; the safety regulations for drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15642/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDrivers of sulkies and other animal-drawn vehicles are obliged to comply with road traffic legislation, and are responsible for behaving in a safe manner, as are all road users. There is at present no licensing regime for drivers of animal-drawn vehicles comparable to the system of driver licensing for mechanically propelled vehicles.
It is my understanding that under the Control of Horses Act 1996, a local authority may declare an area within its territory to be a control area, and as such require that all horses in the area be licensed. A licence cannot be issued to a person under the age of 16.
Following concerns raised about unauthorised sulky racing on public roads in particular, I am proposing to address a gap that currently exists in the law regarding racing of horse drawn vehicles in the Road Traffic Bill 2015. Under the new proposals, it will be an offence to participate in an unauthorised race. This will apply to any kind of vehicle, including horse drawn vehicles. Such races will in future be permitted only subject to approval by the relevant local authority, in consultation with An Garda Síochána. It will be made an offence to participate in such an event where it has not received prior approval of the Local Authority.
