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

I have one more question on HSI. I previously raised an issue with the Minister regarding the purchase of horses from Europe. Apparently when show jumpers are imported into Ireland their passports are marked so that they have a certain number of points. They may never have jumped a fence but their passports are marked up. They may subsequently be exported as eventing horses even though they are not. This is an issue for the horsey world and for Ireland because these horses are being exported as having participated in events when they have not. For some reason they are marked up with points for events when they are imported into Ireland. Apparently this is legal and due to some sort of anomaly in the system. I raised the issue with the Minister for a response but there was no indication that the issue would be taken on board. Surely Horse Sport Ireland would be interested in this given that it affects the perception from abroad of the quality and qualifications of the animals being exported. I ask that somebody ask Horse Sport Ireland to investigate the matter.