Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is important that Horse Sport Ireland be ambitious and we certainly want it to be. It is important to note that it does need to move from its present premises, but I have no confidence, from what the Minister of State has said, that he is going to fight for it to be retained in Kildare for all the reasons I and Senator Martin have outlined. We had a good Fianna Fáil Minister in Kildare, Mr. Charlie McCreevy, who delivered for the equestrian world and delivered for Punchestown. There is absolutely no reason there should not be a further investment in Punchestown by bringing Horse Sport Ireland there and giving it an absolutely world-class site, which is what it needs for carrying out its functions and work. I accept all the reasons Horse Sport Ireland is a 32-county and national organisation, but moving it from County Kildare which is synonymous, for all the reasons that I said, with the equestrian and thoroughbred world would be absolutely wrong. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. I have liaised with Kildare County Council and I absolutely believe we can come together to ensure this stays in Kildare.