Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

It is obvious that this is a major problem. It is also being experienced in the racing industry's equitation schools. If one sees horses from any stable being brought out in the morning, one will observe that approximately 75% of those riding the horses are non-nationals. Do the problems being encountered by the Army equitation school result from difficulties in finding Irish personnel to fill the vacant positions? It is obvious that we have to keep the equitation centre, which has a fine international reputation in the sport of showjumping, at the top of the agenda. The planned return of Eddie Macken to the Irish showjumping team is a major boost in that regard. If the problem I have mentioned is being experienced, can we look at alternatives, such as the appointment of non-nationals to these positions to ensure they are filled?

See this speech in context