Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I just do not agree with the Deputy’s approach to this. I would not pit sport against the equestrian industry in Ireland. We have increased funding dramatically for sport over the past couple of years and we will continue to do so. There was a time when the budget for sport in Ireland was something like €7 million. It is now around €150 million and we will continue to invest in sport. However, I do not think the Deputy should pit sport against the equestrian industry. The equestrian industry in Ireland – horse sport, racing, stud farms and so on – employs tens of thousands of people.

See this speech in context