Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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174. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of all horse deaths on Irish racecourses from 2008 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and his views on whether Horse Racing Ireland can claim commercial sensitivity in regard to this information. [61369/22]

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.

Since 1st January 2018, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland.

HRI has informed my Department that the information sought is held in trust by the IHRB as extracted from commercially sensitive information provided by the racecourses and the clinical vets working for the racecourses. 

A project analysing multi-annual data is currently underway which is a key point in the drive towards constant improvement in safety for racehorses.

HRI has informed my Department of the overall number of horse fatalities at racecourses for each year from 2012 to date in 2022 is as follows:

*to 1st December 2022

HRI has informed my Department that it has no data in relation to horse fatalities for years 2008-2011 inclusive.

HRI has also informed my Department there are a minimum of three vets at every race meeting including at least one from the IHRB and at least two clinical vets who assess the runners pre-race.  Any horse assessed as not suitable to race will be withdrawn, may be followed up at home and will require clearance before racing again. If considered necessary, the vets can request the race stewards to withdraw any horse. 

Safety measures also include pre and post-race inspections by experienced equine veterinarians, stewards inspecting runners in the parade ring, ambulance and veterinary supports travelling after the race runners, careful ground management by both the racecourse managers and the regulatory clerk of the course.