The Chairman of the Kildare Hunt Club wrote to me on 27th July 2006 concerning the present situation at Punchestown Racecourse. In my response of 1st August 2006, I outlined my disappointment at the ongoing differences within the Kildare Hunt Club and I urged the Club to immediately implement the joint venture with Horse Racing Ireland approved by its members in 2002 and recommended by the Dáil Committee on Public Accounts in January 2004.
Since then I understand that a proposal made by Horse Racing Ireland regarding the future terms of a joint venture with the Kildare Hunt Club has been accepted by the Chairman and Executive Committee of that Club and, once ratified by the membership of the Club, will provide a sound basis for the future management of Punchestown.