Mr. Kieran Mulvey:

We are obviously under absolute privilege here. I was invited to use my good offices to mediate between a certain event location in the south of Ireland, which I think I am at liberty to identify as Millstreet. This venue is owned by Noel C. Duggan, who has a tremendous track record in facilitating international and national eventing in a tremendous location in Millstreet. I have visited the location on several occasions and have met Mr. Duggan and his son. A matter remains outstanding between Millstreet and the Duggan family, and Show Jumping Ireland directly and Horse Sport Ireland indirectly. The issue is historical and goes back a number of years. There has been considerable angst between them. The issue arose initially out of decisions made by Show Jumping Ireland around Millstreet's qualification to host certain national or international events. There were differences of opinion between Millstreet and Show Jumping Ireland, and the then leadership of that body, regarding the funding of those events, who could participate in them and the terms and conditions under which they would be recognised.

This is an ongoing dispute. I have been involved for the best part of 12 months trying to understand it and I have had a number of meetings with the parties concerned, including one meeting lasting eight hours with both parties. We have not yet resolved the dispute. Millstreet is of the view that it got a competition ruling which indicated a decision by the Competition Authority that the rules applied by Show Jumping Ireland were inimical to its interests and that the rules were contrary to Competition Authority regulations. It got an opinion to that effect from the Competition Authority. Show Jumping Ireland subsequently issued an apology and I understand it has changed its rules.

An issue also arose involving an insurance case in respect of which Millstreet felt it was not adequately covered by Show Jumping Ireland's universal insurance and there were issues around cost. It was also claimed that Show Jumping Ireland and, by extension, HSI were not giving Millstreet sufficient recognition for what it was achieving or support for its applications for national and international competitions. The issue then arose with Show Jumping Ireland and, by extension, HSI as to whether Millstreet was affiliated and would abide by the changed rules. This has gone all the way up to the international body and back down again.

It has been a sharp learning curve for me in meeting them because they are both to a large degree very strong on their respective opinions. I have tried to mediate a settlement and an offer has been made by Show Jumping Ireland to resolve the dispute on the basis of suggestions I have made. That has not succeeded yet. I left the mediation in abeyance while Millstreet was holding its international competition. My view, which I have expressed to Show Jumping Ireland and HSI, is that as much support should be given to Millstreet as possible. This is an international competition and the country was on show. The Duggan family had invested a considerable amount. I have been over the grounds with Noel C. Duggan and his son. They have developed a tremendous campus for international competitions on the lands they own outside of Green Gables and otherwise. This year's competition was very successful and it brought plaudits from everybody. I congratulate them again on that. They do things with finesse.