Road Safety: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-17
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Chris Andrews (SF), Labour Panel

We can create all the laws we want but what we really need is enforcement. We have heard the mother of that poor child, Grace, who was murdered a few weeks ago speaking so eloquently and passionately about this. I welcome that the Government is looking to close the loopholes but that should have been done long ago. There should never have been loopholes in the legislation and scramblers should never have been allowed on the road network. Again, without enforcement, anything we do in here will be useless. It is really important to ensure there is adequate enforcement.
Another issue that has come to my attention again, and which has been around for a while, is sulky racing and urban horses. This has an obvious impact on road safety. Two weeks ago, a horse carrying a foal collapsed on the way to Ballyfermot after being used in sulky racing on Dollymount Strand. The horse was kicked and whipped to get it back up but it could not do so because it was exhausted and physically unable. These sulky horses are out on public highways, being driven recklessly and sometimes collapsing. That has a big impact. I am interested to hear the Department's view on sulky racing and urban horses. This is a threat to road safety and public safety. We hear owners of urban horses talking about how much they love their animals but there is not much evidence of that when we look at the condition of some of the horses and the way they are treated. The poor sulky horse, named Anne, that died two weeks ago is not the only example. Horses that were run into the ground have been found in ditches. They are a hazard on the road and a blight on many communities. I would like to hear what plans the Minister of State has to ensure sulky racing and urban horses are regulated and that the animals are treated fairly and properly.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:38+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-17