A Tipperary TD has written to the Ministers for Transport, Agriculture and Justice calling for a coordinated national response to the regulation of horse-drawn vehicles on public roads.

Deputy Michael Murphy – who is Chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee – says there’s a glaring gap in road safety laws surrounding their use.

The Fine Gael representative says it’s clear that this situation can’t continue and needs to be tackled.

“This follows a recent and deeply distressing incident in Clonmel which resulted in serious public safety risks and the tragic death of a horse.

“A significant gap exists in the current legislative and enforcement framework so I’m calling for the urgent establishment of an interdepartmental working group involving transport, agriculture and justice.”

Deputy Murphy says there needs to be a national system in place rather than depending on local authority byelaws

“The purpose of this working group should be to conduct a comprehensive review of the current legal and regulatory framework, examine road safety risks associated with horse drawn vehicles on public roads, strengthen animal welfare protections, assess enforcement powers available to An Garda Siochana & local authorities, consider the introduction of national standards for those in control of horse drawn vehicles and explore the potential for a licensing or registration system.”