asked the Minister for Defence if he is concerned about the lack of suitable jumping horses in the Army riding school for international show jumping purposes; and if Bord na gCapall had to lend a number of horses to the Army on recent trips abroad by the Army riding school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Riding School.
13.
The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes". As a result of a detailed examination of the position of Army Equitation, following my appointment as Minister for Defence last year, I instructed that a number of horses of international or national standard should be purchased for the Army School of Equitation. So far in the present financial year five horses have been purchased pursuant to my instruction. The programme, thus initiated, of building up the strength of the school is continuing. As regards the second part, there is an arrangement between Bord na gCapall and my Department whereby horses may be loaned by either body to the other with the object of securing the most effective combinations of horses and riders, military and civilian. Four horses are on loan from the board to the Department at present and two of them participated in shows abroad during 1973.
A buying team has been instituted consisting of Col. Bill Mullins, Lt.Col. William Ringrose and Mr. Richard Jennings. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, which will speed up decisions on the purchase of horses. I want to say this may be a slow business. We have purchased five horses, not because we did not want to purchase more but because suitable horses did not become available. In my view the horses could redound to the credit of the country and the riders, who are badly in need of them. At the moment they are a little weighted towards three-day eventers. That is not our fault. The fact is we did not get the show-jumpers we wanted but that work is proceeding as rapidly as possible.
Is the Minister satisfied the Department are providing enough money for the purchase of horses? The Minister has stated five horses were purchased. Can he tell us the total price?
The Deputy is expanding the subject matter of the question.
The question is a broad one.
It refers to the lack of suitable jumping horses in the Army riding school.
Is the Minister satisfied enough money is being provided to purchase suitable jumping horses for the Army?
Yes.
How much? Can he tell us the cost of the five horses?
For obvious reasons I cannot inform the House of the cost of each horse but the total is in the order of £35,000. I can also tell the House that, with my permission and that of the Government, the Army jumping team bid £45,000 for a horse that did not pass the vet; we bid £30,000 for a horse that did not pass the vet and at this moment there is a horse standing at £28,500 and later he will be examined by a vet. That examination will take place about mid-March. Furthermore, the detailed appraisal I undertook resulted in this finding: in order to have some co-operation from the Army Equitation School in international competitions eight horses of international standard were required, of which six would be show-jumpers and two three-day eventers, as well as eight horses of national standard as replacements.
We seem to be entering a debate on this matter.
I want to tell the House the position. When I took office there were only two horses of international standard, the Army jumping team were costing from £200,000 to £250,000 per year and they had nothing to ride.
Does the Minister not consider such large sums of money would be better spent in providing suitable housing for the serving personnel in the Army?
That is a separate question. I am calling Question No. 14.
May I ask the Minister——
I have allowed enough latitude on this question. I have called Question No. 14.
I am doing my job with regard to horses and housing, whether Deputy Molloy likes it or not.
May I ask a final supplementary?
No. The Deputy must obey the Chair.
There is discrimination in this House.
I wish to ask one question——
I have told the Deputy he must obey the Chair. I would ask him to resume his seat otherwise I shall have to order the Deputy from the House.
I will leave the House in protest.
Question No. 14.