Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
994. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses that were injured and killed at the 2021 Punchestown horse racing festival; if an investigation will be carried out into the high level of fatalities; if consideration will be given to ending State funding to Horse Racing Ireland in view of the growing number of horse deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24475/21]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of horses injured and killed at the 2021 Punchestown horse racing festival is an operational matter for HRI who will be requested to repond directly.
An important pillar of Government policy is to ensure that the horse racing industry achieves its maximum potential, and in so doing, contributes to economic and social development across a wide geographic swathe of the country.
The horse racing industry makes a valuable contribution to our economy. It is estimated that the thoroughbred industry has an annual economic impact of €1.84 billion with direct and indirect employment of 28,500 people. The thoroughbred industry brings a high level of international investment into Ireland.
Welfare is a cornerstone of the industry, shown by Horse Racing Ireland’s (HRI) strategic priority to implement world-leading standards of integrity and equine welfare. HRI’s policy on thoroughbred horse welfare is reflected in the “Promoting Responsible Thoroughbred Ownership” document to which bodies concerned with welfare within the horseracing and breeding industry subscribe.
HRI receives state funding on an annual basis as provided for under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. I have no plans to end state funding for the horse racing industry.
