andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the recent comparative successes of the Army jumping team and the outstanding success of some of the civilian jumpers, and in the interests of Irish bloodstock, he will now initiate the steps needed to facilitate the promotion of a joint civilian-military team to represent Ireland in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civilian-Military Jumping Team.
136.
I do not propose to initiate action along the lines suggested by the Deputies.
If such lines were initiated by somebody else, would the Minister be prepared to facilitate military personnel nominated by any such body attempting to establish a joint team and would he give them the facilities they get at the moment as members of the military? Would the Minister be prepared to consider that?
I do not think so. The present arrangement under which the army jumping team appears at selected shows and an all-Ireland civilian team appears at selected shows seems to be working well.
Is it not important that Ireland should put forward the best possible team available? The army jumping team at the moment are operating under very difficult circumstances in so far as they are meeting joint teams. Because of that, through no fault of their own, they lack a large number of personnel to choose from and it is not now possible to choose from the standard which was once available. Would it not be desirable, in the interests of Irish bloodstock, to restore our position in equitation centres generally in the world by establishing a joint team?
I do not think I can accept the implications of the Deputy's statement. The present arrangements for building up a competent Army team will, I believe, bear success. The Deputy has not indicated to me in what way the addition of civilians would improve the army jumping team.
Surely Tommy Wade would improve the Irish team?
There are civilian teams which go on their own. Why not let that arrangement stand?
A joint team would be better than a separate civilian team and Army team.