Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following a competitive procurement process carried out in 2022, the Irish Horse Board (IHB) was awarded the contract from 2023 to deliver marketing services for the Irish Sport Horse Sector in Ireland. The contract was issued for a term of one year with the right to extend the term for a period or periods of up to one year with a maximum of three such extensions.

As part of the procurement process, tenderers were required to provide a draft short term marketing plan with their submission for the sport horse sector for all relevant sport horse breeds to market and promote all aspects of the Irish sport horse nationally and internationally. The plans identified proposed initiatives, target markets, strategies, budgets and marketing channels in order to reach targeted goals.

In accordance with the contract with the successful tenderer, the IHB, formulated a final marketing plan which was agreed with my Department. This marketing plan was for a term of one year in line with the initial contact duration.

My officials met IHB on five occasions throughout 2023 via webex or in person as part of of the oversight in delivering the marketing plan to the Irish Sport Horse sector. Through these engagements, the IHB provided overviews of their interactions with stakeholders including recognised breed societies, auction houses, Failte Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, show organisers and breeders.

Following completion of year one and an extension of the contract for a further year, a second marketing plan was provided by IHB and agreed with my officials to the end of 2024. The first review meeting is to be held with officials later this month.

It is not intended to publish these marketing plans on my Department's website. However, my officials have received a copy of their industry report for 2023 and this will be made available on our website in due course.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Horse Board is a Limited Co-operative Society and the employment details of staff, their roles, qualifications and salary bands are a matter for their Board and the CEO of that organisation.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Horse Sport Ireland is a Company Limited by Guarantee and the employment details of staff, their roles, qualifications and salary bands are a matter for the Board and the CEO of that organisation.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, and following communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of Marketing Services, National Breeding Services and Studbook Services for the Sport Horse Sector. Procurement processes for the provision of the above named Services for the Sport Horse Sector was carried out by my Department in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines.

An independent evaluation panel, chaired by a Principal Officer from my Department, assessed the applications received for the three named tenders.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, and communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of Marketing Services, National Breeding Services and Studbook Services for the Sport Horse Sector. Procurement processes for the provision of the above named Services for the Sport Horse Sector were carried out by my Department in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines.

All members of the evaluation team and my officials, which carried out the compliance checks, completed confidentiality/conflict of interest declaration forms. None of those involved registered any conflict of interest which would impair their impartial and objective performance in their duties in the procurement process.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, and following communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of Marketing Services, National Breeding Services and Studbook Services for the Sport Horse Sector. Procurement processes for the provision of the above named Services for the Sport Horse Sector was carried out by my Department in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines.

I am satisfied that all members which completed the compliance check and those that formed the independent evaluation team were impartial and independent and each person completed confidentiality/conflict of interest declaration forms.