Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Minister is aware that the very fine Kildare equine tradition is second to none, not just in Ireland but in the world. Its potential is probably still unfulfilled. Kildare should be the world leader and headquarters of the equine industry. If one were to put together what the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield means to snooker, what Alexandra Palace means to darts and what Wembley Stadium means to the FA Cup Final, one would still not fully appreciate the love and care for horses in Kildare and also the economic dividend they provide. Horse Sport Ireland is working very hard, as the Minister knows, under the able stewardship of Joe Reynolds and many others such as Avalon Everett and John Moran. They are doing great work in Covid times. Horse Sport Ireland has about 25 affiliates, including horse breeding. It would like that put on a statutory, regulatory footing. Its activity generates 14,000 jobs and €816 million in income each year. Three separate teams have qualified for the Olympics next year, from dressage to showjumping, eventing and paralympic dressage. Over €1 billion is generated from Horse Sport Ireland's spiritual cousins in horse racing, with over 28,000 direct and indirect secondary jobs provided, 1.3 million attendees at Irish racing events and €1.84 billion in total direct and indirect stimulus for the Irish economy. Off-course expenditure by racegoers is estimated to be €145 million.

I have one appeal today. Horse Sport Ireland in Naas is doing great work but it has a temporary home. I would not like to see Horse Sport Ireland leave the county. We need a collaborative approach. I appreciate that this will be a cross-departmental approach, from tourism to sport to agriculture. The Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, in my neighbouring constituency of Kildare South, is very enthusiastic about this and always was. Horse Sport Ireland is like Croke Park and Semple Stadium. They are the spiritual home of the GAA. The spiritual home of the horse is Kildare. We do not want to see it fragmented. We do not want to see Horse Sport Ireland relocate its HQ outside the county. I live very close to Punchestown. They do great work there. They are very generous to the public in allowing them to use the grounds for walking, and share the grounds and so many other amenities with local communities. Under David Mongey and so many of his predecessors, Punchestown has been put on the map. They have lots of space and huge potential in a collaborative approach, from mounted games to pony clubs and disabled riders. They have a HQ, only on a far bigger scale than Abbotstown. They have lots of land and huge potential. We could bring tourism from throughout the world to Punchestown if we could sit down with the Minister and make sure we do not miss this opportunity.

I forgot to congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I know he is a passionate Cavan man. He had a brilliant week, as had Tipperary. I commiserate with the Minister from Donegal.