Vol. 307 No. 6
asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the present condition of the Army Equitation School horses injured in an accident in France recently; if veterinary reports are satisfactory in all cases; and the present value of the horses involved in this accident.
161.
asked the Minister for Defence if, in order to allay public concern, he will explain the circumstances of the accident that occurred in France when a number of horses from the Equitation School were injured.
: I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.
On 22 May 1978 a vehicle, the property of Horse Ferries International (Córas Iompair Éireann in association with Lambourn Ridgway Ltd.) which was transporting eight Army horses to an international horse show at St. Gall, Switzerland, skidded and went out of control at Dole, France. All the horses received injuries as a result of the accident.
Five of the eight horses are now fit and two of the remainder are likely to be fully recovered in the near future. No estimate of recovery time can be made at this stage in respect of the other horse. All the horses are being kept under veterinary observation.
It would be contrary to my Department's practice to give the value of the horses involved in the accident, such information being treated as confidential.
162.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement in regard to a report concerning two horses alleged to have been doped at the recent international show jumping event in Nice, France; if this report is correct; and, if so, the action he proposes to take in the matter.
: This matter is being investigated by a committee of the Federation Equestre International and, pending the outcome of the investigation, I would not be prepared to make a statement.
