John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are speaking about a company, which is a promoter of international events, seeking clarification by way of e-mail from Horse Sport Ireland on prize funds of €25,000 and €180,000 and related issues concerning the organisation of an event. The e-mail was sent on 18 February. I consider this to be important for Ireland, the taxpayer and the SME sector. That a reply was not issued until 12 March does not show a great deal of interest in the promotion of an international event. It took another week to get a reply to a further e-mail sent on 7 March regarding criteria for the grants, which response was incomplete. To more direct questioning on 27 March about the irregularities in Showjumping Ireland's annual accounts and referencing previous e-mails, no answer is given. to further correspondence regarding receipt of hard copies of decisions made, no reply is given. This goes on and on.

This is the type of service being provided by Horse Sport Ireland, which receives at least half of its €5 million per annum in funding from the taxpayer, is giving to a company in the industry trying to promote Ireland and showjumping and related events. Surely, as part of the governance procedures of the Irish Sports Council, it should take up this issue with Horse Sport Ireland.