The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA)

Lobbying Organisation The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Date published 03 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Discussed shared concerns regarding Sulky activity on public roads, Deputy McGrath’s private member’s bill, potential legal regulation and enforcement.

Intended results Stronger regulations and enforcement around sulky horse activity and in particular sulky horse racing.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Conor Dowling & Claire Owens

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Met to discuss shared concerns regarding Sulky activity on public roads, Deputy McGrath’s private member’s bill, potential legal regulation and enforcement. Followed up with email.

Email (2-5)

Emails to arrange meeting and follow up summary of issues discussed

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Mattie McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)