Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim céad fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I do not know whether he frequents the Connemara pony show but I am aware that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, has been there on numerous occasions. Indeed, I saw him there two years ago. Obviously, the Connemara pony is specific to the region for which it is named. We are extremely proud of the breed and of the heritage relating to it. However, concerns have been raised in respect of the inspection and classification programme for the Connemara pony. A recent report, compiled by Dr. Jack Murphy, raises serious questions with regard to the classification and inspection regime. In the executive summary to his report Dr. Murphy states:

The onus is on the custodians of this wonderful animal (individual breeders, producers, owners and studbook officers of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society [CPBS]) to ensure that these husbandry responsibilities are fully [served].

Any shortcomings in this regard reflects a dereliction of duty and [are] tantamount to negligent dysfunctional behaviour.

He goes on to state:

CPBS officers charged with responsibility for inspection and quality control should only be awarded that privilege by demonstrating clear and unambiguous competencies to do so. All of the Inspector personnel should undergo appropriate training regularly, be capable of demonstrating proficiency and complete bi-annual competency examinations.

Any members exhibiting shortcomings in demonstrable inspection skillsets should absent themselves voluntarily from inspection panels or face permanent exclusion.

He further states that "all Inspectors should only serve a maximum of a three (3) year office and thereafter remain off-panel for a minimum of at least three years" and notes:

Classification may be problematic for breeders, owners and Inspectors. Currently some 95% plus of females attain Class 1, but this is statistically and biologically improbable. Providing a lifetime classification status to an animal at 2 or 3 years of age leads to errors and in all likelihood, there [are] other invalidity within the current classification system.

He says the world of animal breeding is littered with countless examples of errors in classification and that these mistakes were originally based on predictive scores that were never ultimately tested. He goes on to say most stallions fail to live up to expectations as sires and beget progeny, the vast majority of which are not as good or talented as the sire. He further says that although stud book objectives focus on breeding better animals, the monetary value of these animals will also be influenced by supply and demand. The challenge is to breed and produce the better quality, correct individual, while producing the optimal numbers at any given time to maintain both market share and the return on investment. He notes that linear profiling, LP, provides a perfect opportunity to inspect the inspectors who he says complete LP lower beam inspections. He recommends this extremely important and necessary validation exercise. He also notes the need to set out clearly defined qualification and selection criteria for inspectors, those who wish to ensure the classification system operates in the correct manner and those who wish to instil confidence in the entire process and handle errors within the stud book system correctly and report truthful, accurate and reliable records.

These are strong comments that raise serious questions about the industry. Fears have been expressed to me that there are individuals working within the industry who are working in their own interests. If we do not have a classification system that is open, transparent and fair to all, fears and allegations such as these arise about such issues. It is felt a small group of people control the industry and the society and that there is a closed shop, secretive mentality. We need to know where the Department stands on the issue of the international inspection classification of the Connemara pony because the Connemara pony industry is not just an industry in Connemara but also nationwide. It is international industry, with breeders all over the world. Therefore, it is vital that the integrity of the system is maintained.

In his discussion document Dr. Murphy highlights numerous errors in the inspection system. Is the senior Minister and the Minister of State aware of these issues? Have they been brought to the attention of the Minister of State and what does he intend to do about them? I understand there is substantial funding provided by the Department for the Connemara Pony Breeders Society. Are there implications in that regard?

We all want to see a thriving industry that can be maximised for all of the people of Connemara, in particular north Connemara, in order that the show there and related shows around the world will be examples of excellence. We need to ensure the playing field is fair and that adjudications and inspections of horses, stallions and mares coming through the show are conducted in the best possible manner and are up to the highest international standards. For that reason, I ask whether the Department has full confidence in the inspection classification regime being implemented by the Connemara Pony Breeders Society? If not, what does it intend to do about it?