Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

312. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses injured and that died or were killed at Galway Racecourse to date in 2021; if an investigation will be carried out into the high level of fatalities; and if consideration will be given to ending State funding to Horse Racing Ireland in view of the growing number of horse deaths. [44276/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland.  The Board is a company limited by guarantee set up by the Turf Club (established 1790) and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (established 1866) for the purpose of carrying out the regulatory and licensing functions for Irish horseracing.

The role of the IHRB is provided for under the Irish Horse Racing Act 2016 and subsequent Statutory Instruments.

The question raised by the Deputy in relation to horses injured or killed at Galway Racecourse to date in 2021 are operational matters for HRI  and the IHRB and I have requested my officials to refer the question to them for direct reply.  

I have no plans to cease State funding to HRI.