Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

That is somewhat a policy question and I do not want to intrude on policy, but I do not mind saying something about the background to this if the Deputy wishes. It is a historical reality that we had a horse and greyhound fund and that, from a statutory perspective, that fund was directed towards the thoroughbred horse sector and the greyhound sector. That is how the legislation is written. We have had approaches from various bodies over recent years explaining that they have significant potential for economic development. Many cases have merit but we are constrained by the funding we have. It would be nice to be able to help everybody to the extent that they wish, but that is just not possible.

There was an effort to cohere Horse Sport Ireland's efforts into a strategic policy plan. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, organised a committee and the body established a strategic plan for the industry, Reaching New Heights. As a condition for additional funding, the Department commissioned a report by Indecon to look at the structures in Horse Sport Ireland. It is unusual, being a company limited by guarantee. It was established in 2007 and is an amalgamation between the Equestrian Federation of Ireland and what was the Irish Horse Board. It had 27 different affiliate bodies, all of which were on the board. While that had strengths with its representative nature, it was not a good way to structure a board and develop a strategic plan. Indecon wrote its report and the board has been restructured. We still have representatives of all the affiliates in advisory sub-committees, but that work has been done. The Department has increased the funding bit by bit, from €2.5 million in 2018 to €3 million in 2019, and it will be €4 million in 2020. Horse Sport Ireland also gets funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides for the development of breeds while the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport provides for the development of the sport. There is a policy question there since we will be coming into an Olympic year soon, and I know that our showjumping and dressage team have both qualified for the Olympics, but our Department will not be funding that.