Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair for allowing me to speak now. I also thank all of the speakers for attending. It is great to see such a cross-section from the sector. We are gathered here at what is very much a purple patch for the industry. We have had one of the best summers with regard to sport horse performance. We have had several successes and I know the young Irish junior riders and Irish pony teams have all won at Europe. I do not believe Irish horses have performed better than they are performing presently in eventing and, in particular, on the American scene, which is probably the most lucrative. They are excelling there.

It is concerning when we see the constituent parts of a sector coming before our committee and being very clearly at odds with the governing body. It is very clear there is a seismic rift between these constituent bodies, the governing body and us as legislators, people who ultimately are there to try to direct money and funding. This has to be a serious concern, that we are looking at such a serious situation which we must call it what it is, which is a stand-off with the governing body.

To focus on some of the points, I know there was a consultation period recently and I am interested to know from Mr. Corrigan if his organisation made a submission to that with regard to the directorships.