asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will examine the position whereby it costs forty-two pounds per week to keep a horse stabled at Shannon Airport while awaiting transport; and if in view of this extraordinarily high figure he will state what he proposes to do about the matter as the bloodstock industry is so important in this country and should be safeguarded in every possible way.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stabling of Horses at Shannon Airport.
9.
The basic charge for the facility referred to is £1 10s. 0d. for one horse for each period of six hours or part thereof and the maximum charge paid for any horse stabled at the airport during the last six months was £6. Because of the limited use made of this facility by bloodstock owners and shippers, these charges yield a meagre return in no way commensurate with the economic cost of providing and maintaining the stabling accommodation. I find it hard to visualise any circumstances in which a horse would be stabled for a week at Shannon Airport while awaiting transport.