Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1095. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he was aware of the issues facing Horse Sport Ireland with registering and access to a passport for foals born in 2024; and the steps he has taken to ensure this does not repeat this year. [29246/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I am aware that there have been delays with the issuing of passports by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) in 2024, following the introduction of an ‘E-Passporting System' which is called 'HorseSource’.

Officials in my Department are in regular contact with HSI and my Department has been informed by HSI that they have introduced a number of measures to assist in reducing the turnaround time and that continuous improvements are being made.

While the issuance of passports is a matter for each passport issuing organisation, including HSI, I am aware of the impacts that delays can cause and I have instructed my officials to continue to work closely with HSI to ensure that commitments for the 2025 season are delivered upon.