Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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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?

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to bring clarity to the situation in regard to the Connemara Pony Breeders Society. The society's is one of a number of equine stud books approved by my Department in accordance with EU rules and the relevant domestic legislation, namely, the European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011. The society holds approval valid up to 28 November 2016 to maintain a stud book for the Connemara pony breed in Ireland.

In regard to inspections conducted for a stud book such as that of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society, on foot of European Commission Decision 921353, stud book holders are required to have established principles for the division of their stud book if there are different conditions for entering the horse family, or if there are different procedures for classifying the horse family entered in the book. European Commission Decision 96/78 outlines the qualifying criteria for entry into the main section of a stud book and states this section may be divided into several classes, according to the animals’ merits. Therefore, as part of its breeding programme, the Connemara Pony Breeders Society has developed an inspection process which is available to all members to establish a classification for their animals within the main section of the stud book. The attributes which determine admission to the different classes within a stud book are matters for the individual or breed society holding the approval. The Department’s oversight is to ensure whatever standards and classifications are determined by the stud book operator adhere to the relevant requirements of EU and Irish legislation. Stud book holders are required to ensure the inspection processes include adequate safeguards to ensure transparency and fairness and that inspections are carried out in a non-discriminatory fashion. It is also required that there be an appropriate mechanism for owners who are dissatisfied with the outcome of an inspection of their animals to have access to a transparent appeals procedure.

The procedures of the Connernara Pony Breeders Society for inspections are as follows. Owners who wish to put their animals forward for inspection are required to apply in writing. The society will inspect colts aged three years and over and fillies aged two years and over. The animal’s lifetime document must be in the name of the owner at the date of application, or otherwise the society will not conduct the inspection. The lifetime document must be presented by the owner at the time of the inspection. Applicants with animals for inspection must pay the appropriate fee charged by the society. No applications are accepted after a closing date stipulated by the society. Markings on a pony, for example, flesh marks, socks, etc. should not be concealed or altered when the animal is being presented for inspection. Inspectors appointed by the society inspect each pony. Ponies also have their microchips checked and height measured at the inspection centre by the society’s veterinary surgeon. A written result of marks attained will be given to the owner on the day of the inspection, as marked by the inspectors at the inspection.

According to the rules of the society, animals that receive sufficient marks at the visual inspection to be eligible for class one or class two will be offered a full veterinary examination by the society’s veterinary surgeon on the day of the inspection. Animals that do not attend for veterinary inspection will remain in class three and their owners will have to reapply to the society should they wish to have them reclassified. Owners of animals being put forward for inspection are liable for the fee for the veterinary inspection of their animals and it is payable on the day of the inspection. All ponies not previously microchipped are microchipped by the veterinarian on the day of the inspection and owners are also liable for this cost. The society takes the submission by an animal owner of an application form for classification as an indication that the owner concerned is willing to abide by the rules and regulations of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society and the decision of the inspection committee. The decision of the inspection team is given to the owners of animals on the day of the inspection and no owner is permitted to enter into discussion with or make any approach to any member of the inspection team.

Owners of ponies that are not successful at an inspection may present them again an unlimited number of times.It is appropriate that studbooks keep their inspection procedures under review in the light of changing times. In this regard, I understand the Connemara Pony Breeders Society has recently commissioned a report to review its inspection processes. This review of inspection processes is one of several being carried out by the society. A discussion document arising from that exercise has been prepared and will be considered by the society’s management board in due course. When the Department has this to hand, it will examine it.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the overview. It is interesting to note several reviews are ongoing in the society which we might come back to at a later date.

On the specific matter I raised, the Minister of State stated that purpose of the Department’s oversight is to ensure that whatever standards and classifications are determined by the studbook operator adhere to the relevant requirements of EU and Irish legislation. Does he or the senior Minister have full confidence that this is the case?

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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That is why there are studbooks. If there are any particular issues, the Senator can pass them on.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Does the Minister of State have full confidence in them?

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Yes.