Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I merely felt it was worth putting that on the record because it is a debate we should have at some stage.

I thank Mr. Dempsey. I was a member of the previous Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which had the CEO and members of the board before it. At that time, Mr. Osborne had recently taken up his role and the position was anything but healthy in the National Stud. I recall being down there a couple of years ago, possibly, to visit the Japanese Gardens because I had some tourists with me, and I noted the fascination with the horses, especially among younger children who are not from a farming background.

It is vitally important that the stud is maintained in national ownership. In some ways, it is similar to Teagasc in research development. As Mr. Dempsey stated, it is a product with which we can compete globally and we do not have too many of them. It is important that we have a nurturing ground for the sector. Horses are something at which the Irish, like the North American Indians, are very good. We seem to have a natural affinity with them.

I wish Mr. Dempsey well. He is welcome to stay with us if he wishes because we will go through the formalities to the end of the meeting that this procedure has taken place.