Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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691. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to conduct an assessment of the appropriateness of the Greenogue site that Horse Sport Ireland plans to relocate to in Dublin; and the engagements he has had with Horse Sport Ireland regarding the proposed move to this location. [22915/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is a company limited by guarantee. It is not a State Body established by legislation and it is operationally independent of my Department.

The Department has been briefed by HSI about a proposal to re-locate to a new site as part of the establishment of a new headquarters and a national centre of excellence. It is envisaged that the centre will provide a world class environment for the production of horses, provision of equine services, industry training and promotion.

I understand that the Board of HSI set up a sub-committee of the Board to carry out the selection process to decide on the site and venue. A detailed feasibility study for the centre was carried out. HSI appointed an independent consultant to carry out this study following a competitive request for tender. HSI advises that the work of the sub-committee has been ongoing for two years and has involved the consideration of many different locations. It engaged with a range of potential sites and hired a property valuer and advisor to review property and land offerings as well as availability of property to purchase, rent or develop.

The Deputy will appreciate that the decision to choose a site and venue for its Headquarters and Centre of Excellence is clearly one for the Board of HSI. The Department is examining the matter at present to ensure that HSI has satisfied itself that the transaction proposed is consistent with public procurement rules.