Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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945. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason point-to-point racing which was designated elite sport status during the previous two lockdowns has been removed from the list of elite sports that can continue during the current lockdown. [5500/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

The Government has requested that Point to Point racing be discontinued as it is not deemed to be an elite sport under current regulations relating to COVID-19. HRI has informed this Department that this request is being complied with.

The pre-eminence of the protection of public health in the current pandemic situation is at the fore of such considerations.

The situation will continue to be actively monitored.