Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
1120. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has been furnished with a fully costed detailed business plan for the proposed development and relocation by Horse Sport Ireland to a site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10564/21]
View answerHorse Sport Ireland (HSI) has informed me that, in deciding on a suitable location for the organisation's Headquarters and Centre of Excellence, it has examined a number of sites and venues as part of a selection process carried out by a sub-committee of its Board.
HSI advises that the work of the sub-committee has been ongoing for two years and has involved the consideration of many different locations. It engaged with a range of potential sites and hired a property valuer and advisor to review property and land offerings as well as availability of property to purchase, rent or develop.
As part of this process, HSI appointed an independent consultant to carry out a detailed feasibility study, following a competitive request for tender.
A copy of the feasibility study and other relevant documents have been made available to my Department. In selecting a site, HSI is not required to obtain approval from my Department. The final decision on a suitable site and venue is a matter for the Board of HSI.
