Agriculture Committee to meet Chairmen Designate of the Irish National Stud and Horse Racing Ireland

13 February 2013

Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “Under the Programme for Government, those who are being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State boards are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee. Tomorrow’s meeting is a valuable opportunity for our Committee to engage with the Chairmen Designate of two key bodies in our world-class bloodstock breeding and racing industry, which has a very significant impact on the economy of rural Ireland in particular.

“The Irish National Stud makes a significant contribution to our national position as one of the leading producers of thoroughbreds in the world. Meanwhile, Horse Racing Ireland is responsible for the administration, development and promotion of the Irish horseracing industry. The meeting tomorrow with Matt Dempsey and Joe Keeling will allow the Committee consider the approach they propose to take as Chairpersons of their respective organisations and discuss their views about their priorities and the challenges their organisations face in the immediate term and into the future. It will also serve to contribute to transparency in appointments to State Boards and a transcript of the discussion will be sent to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for his consideration in the appointment process.”

The meeting takes place at 9:30 am tomorrow 14 February in Committee Room 4, LH 2000. Committee proceedings can be followed live here.

Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926

paul.hand@oireachtas.ie

Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Membership

Deputies:     
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Pat Deering, Fine Gael (Vice-Chair)
Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
 Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael (Chair)
 Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
 Colm Keaveney, Labour
 Michael McNamara, Labour
Eamon Ó Cuiv, Fianna Fáil
Thomas Pringle, Independent

Senators:     
Michael Comiskey, Fine Gael
Paschal Mooney, Fianna Fáil
Pat O’Neill, Fine Gael
Mary Ann O’Brien, Independent
Brian Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil
Susan O’Keeffe, Labour