Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his proposals for the future development of the sporting horse industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5300/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the development of the sport horse industry rests mainly with Horse Sport Ireland, an organization established in 2007 in accordance with the proposals outlined in The Dowling Report (July 2006). Horse Sport Ireland, working with its affiliate organizations, is putting in place policies, practices and plans that will lead to the sustainable development of a vibrant sport horse sector in this country. It aims to lead the Irish Sport Horse sector to achieve and maintain world class standards in the areas of breeding, sport, and the provision of leisure riding opportunities. 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.

In co-operation with Horse Sport Ireland my Department provides a range of horse breeding improvement grants from NDP funds, which are focused on quality, to encourage farmers to breed marketable non-thoroughbreds such as 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.