Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is good to have the Minister back here. I welcome today's announcement by Horse Sport Ireland that the following engagement with Sport Ireland outdoor equestrian sport will be included in phase one of the reopening on 18 May, or at least that is the interpretation they have of it. While responsibility for horse racing and breeding rightly comes under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and not the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, I believe the precedent set in respect of outdoor equestrian activity makes a very strong case for the early resumption of horse racing activity in Ireland also.

Horses are already being exercised by jockeys every day on gallops all over the country. Ten meetings were held behind closed doors before the closure of tier 2 activities and Horse Racing Ireland has since further strengthened the protocols around the resumption of racing behind closed doors.

Horse racing is an industry, not just a sport. It employs 30,000 people in the racing and breeding sectors. The current restrictions on racing have very significant knock-on implications for breeze-up and other sales as well as the breeding sector more broadly, trainers, jockeys, racecourses and the future viability of those racecourses. Horse racing can return in a safe manner. With racing having already resumed in jurisdictions such as France, where it resumed this week, it is crucial that Ireland is not left behind. It can be done in a safe way.

Horse racing is a source of much-needed enjoyment for many people at home, many of them cocooning, who are looking for activity. When one knocks on doors in County Kildare, one meets plenty of people of that age bracket who have a racing paper on their lap and keenly follow racing throughout the day. Many racing supporters at home would dearly love to have Irish horse racing back on television.

I ask that due consideration be given by NPHET and the Cabinet and in any discussions being had by the Minister to the resumption of racing in Ireland earlier than originally anticipated. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, and his Department are also pushing this issue.

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