Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister, who has partially answered my question. When the funding arrangement runs out next year, would an extension to either the date or the funding cap level be effected by regulation or would it require primary legislation?

My second question pertains to the ending of the stallion regime, which I understand will expire in August. I am aware its abolition was due to pressure from the EU and from the Irish trade union movement. It is easy to dismiss this issue as being unimportant because horse breeding is considered to be the preserve of the very rich, although I am unsure whether this is the case. However, this industry is extremely valuable to Ireland and, over the years, we have developed a tremendous reputation in this regard. Certainly, Ireland is the leading horse breeder in Europe. Other countries against which we compete, such as Australia and the United States in Kentucky, have extremely generous incentive schemes. In that context, is the Minister open to replacing the stallion scheme with a measure to ensure that we will maintain our position and status in the world?

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