Ian Marshall (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On Saturday afternoon, a sad and tragic accident claimed the life of William Dunlop in the Skerries 100 motorcycle race in north Dublin. The Dunlop name is synonymous with road racing in Ballymoney and across the island of Ireland, the UK and the among the international motorcycle racing fraternity. I extend our sympathy and support to William's wife and daughter and to the wider family circle. A huge void has been left in the wake of this sad and heartbreaking loss for the family, the sport of motorcycle racing and for Northern Ireland.

In 1939 there was estimated to be 350,000 horses involved in farming in Ireland. Most farms and rural families had a horse or horses for work, as part of recreation or a revenue generator for the family. The horse was and continues to be a critical component of the rural fabric of Ireland. Ireland is currently the world's third largest thoroughbred breeding nation and it is with this in mind and the current impasse in Brexit negotiations that I raise concerns about the thoroughbred industry.

To its credit, Horse Racing Ireland commissioned a study by Deloitte into the economic impact of Irish breeding and racing in 2017 which uncovered some significant figures. Irish racing and breeding generated a total expenditure of €1.84 billion in 2016 and is without question one of the most important industries on this island. Per capita, Ireland has 50 thoroughbreds per 10,000 people, amounting to ten times that of any other country. It generates around 28,900 direct and indirect jobs, mostly in rural economies. Jobs across a wide range of industries and skill sets are evident in this industry. In addition, the value of Irish foal exports sold at public auction in 2017, 80% of which was to the UK, was a staggering €271.6 million.

For this industry, Brexit uncertainty is a massive concern. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, two of which are in Northern Ireland and it attracts over 1.28 million people annually with over 80,000 tourists swelling the numbers, often combining business with pleasure, taking in a race meeting while sampling a rural landscape, local culture, food and drink and the hospitality in the area. Tens of thousands visit from Great Britain and further afield, regarding Ireland as a Mecca for quality bloodstock, breeders, trainers and race yard staff. They regard Ireland as the shining light in the thoroughbred industry globally and it is.That is so especially when one considers that up to 75% of runners at British fixtures are Irish or French bred. Britain and Ireland operate currently a single entity for Stud Book purposes and a tripartite agreement exists between Ireland, Britain and France to facilitate the free movement of stock between the three jurisdictions. Any threat or challenge presented by Brexit could prove catastrophic for the industry.

Brexit raises serious questions. What will the impact be on the movement of horses and labour? What are the implications for the all-island status of the industry and the potential impact on the two Northern Irish racecourses? What tariffs or restrictions will be imposed which could impact on trade or movement? What taxation incentives could be introduced to Britain that could disadvantage the Irish industry? The industry is not resting on its laurels. It is professional, proactive and it is making plans. It has already submitted a proposal to the EU Commission to establish a third equine category under EU animal health law that will protect movement and trade for breeding and competition horses, require official veterinarian control and oversight and which could facilitate trade and movement with any other qualifying country, not just Great Britain. Uncertainty and lack of clarity is unhelpful to the industry, the importance of which to the Irish economy cannot be underestimated, irrespective of whether one is urban or rural.

These concerns should be raised across a number of Departments, including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and, given the importance of agriculture and the rural economy, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which is inextricably linked to this and could be adversely impacted. I ask, therefore, that the Government make representations in the House to address the concerns of the thoroughbred industry and answer these pressing questions.