Noel Grealish (Galway West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 570: To ask the Minister for Defence the procedure used by his Department for purchasing horses; the person who an individual or company can contact within his Department for the purpose of providing horses for army equitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33079/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The mission of the Army Equitation School, as assigned to it on its establishment in 1926, is to advertise the Irish horse abroad through participation in international competitions. The school has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish horse.

The Army Equitation School has in place a Purchase Board consisting of the Officer Commanding the Equitation School, an official from the Department of Defence, the second Officer Commanding Equitation School and Col. E.V. Campion (Rtd.). The Equitation School actively encourages all breeders and producers who feel that they have a suitable horse to contact any member of the Horse Purchase Board or the Army Equitation School to arrange for inspection and assessment with regard to purchase or lease.

My Department continues to source high quality horses for the Equitation School for competition at home and abroad and I intend to ensure that sufficient numbers of good quality horses will continue to be acquired by the school in order to maintain the proud tradition of that establishment.