No specific legislation planned for sulky racing, Minister states
There are “presently no plans” to legislate for sulky racing specifically, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Seán Canney has said.
In a written response to parliamentary questions from Independent TD Carol Nolan last week, the Minister said that while participants are subject to road traffic laws, specific new legislation is not being considered.
“There are presently no plans to legislate for sulky racing specifically,” Canney said.
“All road users are subject to road traffic legislation which is enforced by An Garda Síochána and participants in sulky racing are liable for any road traffic offences they may commit during the races.”
The Minister was asked if his Department intended to review the activity in light of recent updates to legislation governing the use and seizure of scramblers.
Under the Roads Act 1993, local authorities can prescribe classes of road races which require advance approval, but the Minister noted that “no classes of race have ever been prescribed under this section.”
Canney expressed concern regarding the “considerable danger” caused by vehicles following sulky races or driving alongside them on the opposite side of the road.
“In these cases too the drivers can be held liable under the Road Traffic Acts,” he said.
“I am aware, though, that the offence applies only to the organiser, and I understand that in many cases of sulky races there is no identifiable organiser.”
The Minister added that animal welfare issues related to the activity are a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
While no new laws are planned for sulkies, the Minister confirmed that regulations are being prepared to “fully ban” the use of scramblers in any public place.
“It is my intention that regulations will be made to close any cases where scrambler use may previously have been legal outside of appropriate off-road settings,” he said.
“I intend that these regulations will be introduced as a matter of urgency within the coming weeks.”
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 already granted Gardaí new powers to seize scramblers being driven dangerously in any location, including private land.
Nolan had asked the Minister if he believed the current regulatory status for sulkies was robust enough to ensure the protection of the public.
The Minister’s response indicated that in situations where an illegal race occurs with no notice, enforcement remains a matter for Gardaí under the Roads Act 1993.
The issue of sulky racing has been a recurring topic in Irish local government, with several local authorities previously introducing bye-laws to restrict the activity in specific areas. However, national legislation specifically targeting the sport has remained absent from the government’s legislative programme.
In recent years, various animal welfare organisations have called for a total ban on the activity, citing risks to both the horses and the public.
