asked the Minister for Defence if it is correct that the entry of the Irish Army Jumping Team was late for the International Championship at Berlin; and, if so, why.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Jumping Team.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the reason why the Army jumping team was not entered to compete at the Berlin show and if he will take steps to ensure that proper facilities will be made available to the Army jumping team personnel in the best interests of the nation.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 54 together.
The assumption that the entry of the Army jumping team was late for the International Horse Show at Berlin is correct.
On the 23rd December last the show committee was informed that it was hoped to send a team to Berlin and on the 2nd January—which was officially the last date for receiving entries—the committee forwarded entry forms which they requested should be returned as early as possible. The entry forms were received in my Department on the 12th January and on the 15th January details of the team were wired to Berlin. On the 18th January the committee intimated by wire that for technical reasons the entries could not be admitted.
I may add that proper facilities are at all times made available to the members of the Army jumping team.
Would the Minister state whether any effort was made to get the appropriate communications between the date in December he mentioned and the 2nd January?
They were in telegraphic communication.
In the interval?
I may point out that it is the usual procedure to have these entries accepted by that particular means and it has been done in numerous cases but on this occasion, for technical reasons, which included the possibility of objections to the Irish team by some other teams, the German authorities thought it desirable in the interests of the Irish team not to put them into that position.
Why could not the decision have been taken at a much earlier date so as to prevent any last minute muddle or rush?
It was taken at the earliest possible moment.
There seems to have been a right muddle somewhere.