Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator has spoken about many important issues today. I apologise for my intermittent appearances. We picked up on these issues during our preparatory meetings. When we examined the report published by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, on which Senator Daly sits - I am not criticising the report because it is excellent - we said that as a committee we wanted to focus on the whole equine industry. We have had good feedback from our colleagues. When I was in Scotland on Friday, I spoke to my colleagues in the Scottish Parliament. We have discussed this issue with MPs and Lords. We have suggested that all of Ireland and the UK could take a clear common stance on whatever deal is forthcoming in the equine area. I thank Mr. Shane O'Dwyer and Ms Elizabeth Headon for coming to the Seanad Chamber to discuss this important issue. As I have mentioned to everyone, the committee's report is a live document. We will be meeting in public session until 15 June. We will have two weeks to compile our report before it is submitted to the Commission and the Government. We would appreciate the ongoing engagement of Mr. O'Dwyer and Ms Headon on this matter. I thank them once again.