Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At the beginning, I said that Senator Mullen was substituting for Senator Boyhan. That is not the case and Senator Boyhan is attending as a full member of the committee. I want to clarify that for the record.

I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. This is a hugely important industry for our country and its integrity is paramount. As a committee, we felt last year it was important, due to comments that were being made in the media, that we would devote time to it and, as was said, we issued a comprehensive report on the industry. To respond to one of the points made today, I am disappointed that the CCTV footage has not progressed faster because I believe it is very important.

Ms Guy’s statement noted that the IHRB inspected a number of premises and that some were unlicensed. She might clarify how unlicensed premises exist and why these premises are unlicensed when there are thoroughbred horses on the premises.

Does the IHRB distinguish between going to a licensed premises as against an unlicensed premises?

Another bugbear of mine is the registration of thoroughbreds and horses. When the IHRB goes to a premises to do testing, unless there is an accurate live register of the animals there how can it be sure its testing is comprehensive of all the thoroughbreds in that ownership? An inspector comes to the farm in the case of bovine tests. Whether it is ten, 50 or 100 animals, they all have to be there and accounted for on the day. Where stands the thoroughbred industry and horse racing in general, not just thoroughbreds? I have a bee in my bonnet about the number of horses that are not microchipped, although most of them are not thoroughbreds. It is a discussion we have had with the Department in other forums and it comes up a lot when we talk about welfare of horses. In many cases, when there are welfare issues, the horses are not microchipped. They are not thoroughbreds, however, and I accept fully that the microchipping of thoroughbreds is 100% comprehensive.

I know other members want to come in. I ask the witnesses to address those few matters. I will then go to members of the committee.