Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to go back now to both HRI and Horse Sport Ireland. I know the HRI well and that is the area in which I would have been involved. It has, quite rightly, highlighted the fact that it is responsible for the welfare of the horse during its performance time or its career. Once the horse receives its last entry or runs its last race, it is gone out of HRI's remit. I presume it is something similar in Horse Sport Ireland. If a horse is retired, it has no way of knowing whether it died, was killed or is out in a field enjoying a happy retirement. Considering everything that has happened, how would HRI and HSI like to see this dealt with? Could they see a system where there would be some traceability? Is there any role they could play in devising a system of post-career traceability? I know of instances where horses have broken down and been euthanised very professionally or have gone to kennels. They just disappeared off the racing scene. They never received another entry but nobody ever came knocking to ask where horse X went because he was running three weeks ago but now he is gone off the radar. Would HRI and HSI envisage some system in which they, along with the Department, could get involved? It is a little bit of a cliff edge that once a horse receives its last entry or retires, it is gone off their radar.