Vol. 573 No. 4
154 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the recent findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the cost of building the new exhibition centre at Punchestown Racecourse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25586/03]
The Department's purpose in funding the eventing and exhibition centre in Punchestown was to have available a state-of-the-art facility for the holding of all forms of agricultural shows and displays. It was intended that the facility should be able to attract significant agricultural events such as those connected with the sport horse eventing competitions as well as cattle breeding shows and other special events. It was felt that the World Equestrian Games which come around every four years, the European Eventing Championships which take place every three years and international congresses could be attracted to Ireland at reasonable intervals if the facilities were available at a venue accessible to Dublin where air and sea travel could be convenient and where car and truck parking and animal movement would not present a problem.
The centre at Punchestown is operational. I am pleased that the European Eventing Championships and the Open European Endurance Championships took place at Punchestown in September. These are major events in the world of equestrian sports, as together they comprise the largest international equestrian event in Europe this year and comprise the biggest sport horse event ever held in Ireland. The events attracted large numbers of oversees visitors and received wide international press and television coverage. Attracting events such as these to Ireland were among the main factors in deciding that the centre should be funded.
The Comptroller and Auditor General in his report expresses concerns about certain aspects of the project. These are being examined. Before it was agreed to provide funding, the project was examined in the Department and I am satisfied that it will be a great asset to the industry over time.
