Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence his plans with regard to the Army Equitation School; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6184/13]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the plans that are in place for the future of the Army Equitation school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6199/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 38 together.

I have no plans to make changes to the operation of the Army Equitation School. The mission of the School is to promote the Irish horse through participation in international competition at the highest level. The Equitation 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. Army riders competing on Irish bred horses provide an instantly recognisable symbol of Ireland at prestigious international events. In addition to its competition activity, the Equitation School continues to support the Irish horse industry and it encourages breeders and producers, who may have horses suitable for top-level competition, to have them assessed by the School with a view to their purchase or lease. I believe that the Army Equitation School is an emblematic feature of the Defence Forces and that it plays an important role in the promotion of Irish horses and the Irish horse industry.