Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have three minutes and I would like the Minister to come back to me in the time remaining. There is considerable concern in the point-to-point community. As he will be aware, 37 point-to-point meetings took place In Ireland despite all levels of restrictions until 13 January when the sport abruptly ended. Point-to-point racing is the starting point for many of our National Hunt horses. The entire National Hunt breeding industry is now severely challenged and there will be a lasting impact on the industry, on sales, on breeding and on the livelihood of those involved in producing point-to-point horses if the season does not recommence shortly. The sector needs clarity.

As the Minister will be aware, horses cannot simply be put away on a shelf. They need to be fed, trained and exercised. Successful protocols were put in place to ensure the safe hosting of all these events. It was no surprise that no outbreak of Covid was recorded in the hosting of any point-to-point events because they are all hosted in large open fields. I have spoken directly to the Minister on this issue and have tried to engage with his officials. I ask him to outline what he and his Department have done to ensure the safe return of point-to-point racing. In the revised plan for Covid, will point-to-point racing resume at the start of March?

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