Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 269: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the development on the sport horse industry; the methods being employed by her Department to promote this industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33449/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The development of the sport horse industry has been largely the responsibility of the Irish Horse Board since its inception in 1993. In co-operation with the Board my Department provides a wide range of horse breeding improvement grants from NDP funds, which are focused on quality, to encourage farmers to breed marketable non-thoroughbreds including Irish Draughts, Irish Sport Horses, Piebald and Skewbald Horses, Kerry Bog, Connemara and other ponies. Funds have also been provided for the marketing and promotion of such horses and for the development of the sport horse sector. My Department has significantly increased its level of financial and other supports to the sport horse industry in recent years. Between 2000 and 2005 in excess of €6 million has been expended directly on the sport horse sector. An implementation group was established last year by my colleague, Minister O'Donoghue following consultation with me, to establish a new structure for a new National Governing Body for sport horses in Ireland. This new body, to be known as Horse Sport Ireland, will include representatives from all aspects of the sport horse sector and will be established shortly. I believe this will strengthen the sport horse sector, bringing a new common purpose to future development and will lead to greater organizational efficiencies within the sport horse sector resulting in an enhancement of Ireland's standing in the sport.