Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Some of these issues were discussed at the committee. The high compliance rate is linked not to the fact that people believe the system is fair but that they cannot register their foals with Weatherbys unless they pay the foal levy and this is the point that is made to them. At the heart of the issue is the bizarre scenario whereby people pay the stud fee based not on the actual price they pay but on the advertised price. This does not exist anywhere else. People find it incredibly inequitable. They are not saying they do not want to pay anything. They have done calculations which show the small owners and breeders are being most hard done by.

When we raised it at the committee meeting, we were told it would be an administrative nightmare to change it. That is utterly ridiculous. Weatherbys administer it. It already receives documentation from everybody who wants to register their foals. Why not add a document which gives the stallion fee and shows the amount of foal levy paid? It is perfectly simple. Every other business can do it. The excuses being put out are not valid. People want to know what initiative the Minister can take to break the logjam.

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