Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
1073. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the Horse Sport Ireland claim that the Greenogue, County Dublin centre will facilitate both sport and breeding requirements and that stakeholders and the acting CEO have confirmed that the Greenogue site offers nothing to the breeding sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9909/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by Horse Sport Ireland that the proposed new Headquarters and Centre of Excellence will provide a world class environment for the production of horses, provision of equine services, industry training and promotion. HSI has had the objective of having a defined headquarters, and a national training and breeding centre since its inception.
I have also been informed by Horse Sport Ireland that the proposed centre at Greenogue will offer significant benefits to the breeding sector. There is clearly a lack of top-level performance bloodlines available in Ireland at the moment. Such bloodlines are required to make genetic gain in the show jumping discipline. The active Irish Sport Horse brood mare population is 11,900, of which less than 0.06% have competed at the highest International level show jumping. It advises that to create significant genetic improvement in a short period of time, certain measures are required.
In this regard investment in advanced reproduction techniques is required. By establishing a suitable laboratory, with skilled experienced staff, HSI advises that it can support the existing veterinary expertise in this area and make assisted reproductive services more readily available to breeders. The plans for the National Centre include such an advanced Equine Reproduction facility. This innovative facility will utilise 12 acres of the Greenogue site and will have a laboratory building, horse stabling, handling and exercise facilities.
Alongside these reproductive services the centre will also facilitate the running of breeding courses, such as Artificial Insemination technician courses. The National Centre will also be in a position to host regional breeding events, such as mare inspections and, as the facilities develop, other knowledge transfer breeding events by combining its educational, administration and reproduction facilities for breeders and interested parties alike.
