I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.
A complaint was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018 in relation to alleged unlawful state aid paid to Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) by my Department. Following communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services namely, studbooks, national breeding and marketing.
Following the tendering process the provision of Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector was awarded to the Irish Horse Board.
The tender documentation for the provision of marketing services specified a number of criteria including that the proposed team must include at least one member or contractor with a qualification in Marketing, Business Studies, or Business Management or other relevant disciplines at Diploma/ Certificate/Degree level.
The Irish Horse Board met this criterion.