Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1051. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to explain how a company with a stated objective within its constitution/rules to promote one studbook above all others won a tender to promote all of his Department's approved studbooks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12905/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe contract for the provision of Marketing Services to the sport horse sector and was awarded to the Irish Horse Board following a competitive tendering process carried out by my Department in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines.
The Constitution of the Irish Horse Board was last consolidated in 2011. It lists 22 objectives for the organisation. Several of these objectives are both relevant to the wider Sport Horse industry and the provision of the Marketing Services , including, inter alia ,
- "to increase the prosperity of those engaged in the horse industry in Ireland by co-operative action in all aspects of the industry including promotion and marketing",
- "to identify markets and help define breeding goals which best serve these markets; to promote the Irish Horse in these markets".
