Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Irish National Stud: Discussion with Chairman Designate

9:40 am

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Dempsey to the committee. I wish him well in taking on what will be a challenging but important role for the racing and breeding industry, not to mention the tourism aspect.

As a TD for Kildare South I am very much aware of the importance of the National Stud and Japanese Gardens from a tourism point of view. The figure of 115,000 visitors does not surprise me because it is the first port of call for any tourist visiting the county and leads to spin-off tourism in that people come to the National Stud and then visit other areas. The National Stud and the Japanese Gardens were the initial draw, however, and they are extremely important.

In that regard, The Gathering event that will happen on Derby weekend, which Mr. Dempsey touched on, is very exciting. He mentioned it in terms of inviting former students of the stud management course to attend. The stud management course has been run since the 1970s and is viewed as being prestigious throughout the world; I believe Mr. Dempsey said it draws on students from 32 countries. What is his view on how that may be developed in the coming years?

Ireland is a very different country now, and our breeding industry is very different from that which pertained in the 1940s when the National Stud was purchased. How has that change impacted on the requirements of the industry now? Does the role of the national stud need to develop somewhat to take cognisance of that? I have no doubt about the importance of its place in the industry, but adapting to changing times and the changing needs of the smaller breeders was always its target.

The National Stud as a landmass is a very large piece of land. Obviously, the focus has always been on the thoroughbred sector. Is there a dimension that Mr. Dempsey sees in terms of diversifying into sports horses? Such potential would be welcome. Is there any angle in that respect that Mr. Dempsey believes could be advanced?

Mr. Dempsey said the stud must be financially viable. Much concern was raised when one of Colm McCarthy's reports listed it as a potential site to be sold. Many of us made sufficient noise to the effect that that would not be a good idea but it is important that it trades profitably because it has the potential to do so. Mr. Dempsey might indicate the current trading position and the way that is looking for 2013.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the role of Mr. Dempsey's predecessor, Lady O'Reilly, who did a fantastic job in giving a major personal commitment to the National Stud and expressed that along the way. The chief executive officer, John Osborne, also saw it develop over recent years, including the ongoing development of the facilities at the stud. The Queen's visit definitely helped to enhance the tourism aspect and raised the profile of the stud for Irish visitors as much as for foreign tourists.

I wish Mr. Dempsey well. His CV makes him eminently qualified for this position. I look forward to working closely with him in his new role and wish him every success.

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