Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make clear that the funding that is provided by the State is primarily for thoroughbred horse racing, a very important part of our economy and a really important part of the fabric of regional and rural Ireland. I do not for a moment believe that what we witnessed on RTÉ's "Prime Time Investigates" is representative of the wider equine industry. It is important that we all put that on the record because many people in the industry today are very hurt and angry that the reputation of the wider industry gets called into question because of the practices of a very small number of people.

The holding area in question is under investigation. That is being actively managed at this moment in time. On any day when there is activity in the abattoir, a Department of agriculture vet is present on site. That work continues in parallel with this investigation which is being afforded the level of priority by the Department that we would expect.

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