Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Many questions which I had have already been asked. I thank our witnesses for being here. Regarding identification of horses, the manual passport system was introduced in the 1970s. Surely we have to bring the system up to some standard. The witnesses are talking about the Rolls-Royce standard. We as farmers have a system called animal identification and movement, AIM. Why have the witnesses been lagging behind and not bringing this system from the 1970s up to standard? This passport system is costly for horse owners. It costs about €100 or €150 for a passport. The system that is there for farmers is cost-efficient. The witnesses say that they are bringing this up to standard. What kind of standard are they bringing it up to? What will the cost be for horse owners registering a horse? Will it be the same as for a farmer registering a cow or a calf?

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for racing. Is it comfortable that the IHRB, a private limited company with directors appointed by a self-elected club, should receive €10 million from the Exchequer each year? Should HRI not be responsible for all regulatory matters?