asked the Minister for Justice what steps are being taken to prevent horses from wandering in the Finglas area, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wandering Horses.
43.
In the past 12 months over 100 horses have been impounded and over 40 persons have been prosecuted for permitting animals to wander in the Finglas area.
The problem in Finglas is due in large measure to the existence in the area of a large area of unfenced land belonging to the Dublin Corporation. The Garda have no power to deal with horses on corporation or private lands and can only impound horses found on the public roads. The Garda have been informed that the corporation will shortly be taking action against horses on their lands and the Garda believe that this will have a further deterrent effect.
Could the Minister tell us from the figures how many of these horses were owned by itinerants?
I have not got that information. I would say a good share of them probably were but I have not the figures.
If the Government would make some effort to deal with this minor problem of itinerants, would that not deal——
The Government have made considerable efforts and with great success.
The Government have got nowhere.
Could the Minister say what action the corporation will be taking?
They will impound, I gather, the horses that are on this large area of land that they own. The Garda cannot do that; the corporation will do it.