Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment. I support the comments made by Senator Bacik and others in support of the decision of Ministers to travel abroad to take advantage of the unique profile Ireland enjoys over the St. Patrick's Day weekend. One could not buy such access. Having read some of the usual negative comments in the media, I advise those responsible to get a life and realise these festivities afford us a major opportunity that few other countries enjoy.

Having reached the halfway point in the Cheltenham racing festival, I take this opportunity to congratulate the Irish horse racing industry on the exceptional performance of Irish racehorses at the event. I have called for a debate on the industry on a number of occasions without success. The conclusion of the Cheltenham Festival will present an opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to come before the House for a discussion. It is not all good news, however. As I noted previously, the number of horses in training has declined significantly in recent years. Whereas during the boom one was nobody if they did not have the leg of a horse, nowadays people are turning horses out of stables because they cannot afford to train them. We are all familiar with the pitiful plight of many of these horse. This is a great week for the Irish. We have, in Ruby Walsh, the most brilliant national hunt jockey of all time and it is time we recognised this by giving him an award. I hope the Leader will raise this matter with the Minister.