Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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465. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect the equine industry’s integrity through the National Equine Anti-Doping Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48872/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has a national role for equine breeding and is also the national governing body for equestrian sports in Ireland. I am fully committed to maximising the potential of the Sport Horse industry and continue to provide support to it financially and with policy initiatives in the equine breeding and production area.

As the national governing body for equestrian sports, HSI make available a National Equine Anti-Doping Programme to their Affiliated Bodies. This programme seeks to preserve the integrity of equine sport in Ireland. HSI have been running this programme since 2012.

I fully support any initiative that protects the welfare of horses competing in our sport and indeed that also protects the right of all athletes to participate in fair competition on a level playing field.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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466. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be provided to help construct a national training and education building, reproduction and veterinary hub and industry administration headquarters for Horse Sport Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48873/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that the Board of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has put in a case, among other things, for funding in relation to the provision of a national training and education building, a reproduction and veterinary hub and industry administration facility at two possible sites.

The HSI submission will be examined at part of the Estimates and Budgetary process.