Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I stated our current testing regime is equivalent with that of the rest of the world and meets the standard required of us internationally. The object of the task force that was convened was to deal with the outstanding issues. It would be nice to have an acknowledgement that here was the industry taking a leadership role in stating that doing only what everybody else does may not be good enough in the future.

The Deputy's refusal to acknowledge as a progressive step the effort of the industry convening all the stakeholders and stating that they themselves need to do more shines a light on her attitude towards the industry generally. In an extraordinary week for the industry, Deputy Daly has still failed to acknowledge a first, second and third position for the Irish equine industry in the Melbourne Cup.

I would say that the direction of travel is correct here. The industry is attempting to do the right thing. They are investing in new laboratory facilities and we should be encouraging them. Certainly, my Department remains available and the door is open to assist the industry in achieving those objectives.

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