Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 May 2018
188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the sporting horse non-thoroughbred industry to continue to prosper here into the future, notwithstanding ongoing geopolitical changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23956/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume when the Deputy mentions geopolitical changes he is talking about ‘Brexit’. Brexit poses enormous challenges for the equine sector. I and my Department officials have been engaging extensively with the sector in this regard, through the Department’s Stakeholder Consultative Committee, the All-Island Civic Dialogue process and through ongoing bilateral contacts. These meetings have helped the Department to develop a comprehensive understanding of the significant potential implications of Brexit for the sector and these will be taken into consideration in the Department’s ongoing analysis of the potential negative effects.
