Ms Suzanne Eade:

The Curragh definitely had to be updated. It had seen no development since 1962 and had become uninsurable. When people look at it now, they need to look beyond the racecourse. It is a magnificent training facility as well for lots of trainers around the country, particularly those around the Curragh. Hundreds of horses are using this track every day. There are 80 miles of turf peat in all-weather gallops across 1,500 acres. It really is a strategic asset for Ireland. I know it is not performing financially the way we all want it to but it is important. It is the first time we have had a facility for flat racing to which we could comfortably welcome international visitors and consumers now have somewhere where they can go. It had a really tough start. Operating during development was a challenge. The opening in 2019 probably did not showcase it at its best. We had two years of Covid and now it is starting again. It has been tough. I am very interested in the commercial performance of the Curragh. I want it to improve. I wanted to see an increase in attendances. Things have been tried this year, some of which have worked while others have not. I will be all about bringing back the spirit to the Curragh because without that spirit, it is not what we want it to be.