ADVOCACY and action for the Irish equine sector, worth some €2 billion to Ireland’s economy and supportive some 50,000 full-time jobs, was the commitment given this week by newly elected TD for Kildare South, Dr Cathal Berry (Ind).

No stranger to the Curragh, Dr Berry (Ind) said he was “thrilled’’ to take a seat in the general election, promising support for both the sport horse and thoroughbred sectors of the industry. The sport horse sector alone is worth over €816 million to the country’s economy and accounts for almost 15,000 full-time jobs.

“I’m thrilled to get a seat. I’m very supportive of the Irish equine sector. I’m in a listening phrase for the next week or two. I met the guys at the Irish National Stud so I’m gathering views of the industry, sport horse and thoroughbred. Then it’s on to advocacy and coming up with a national policy. I’ll be very much representing the people in the equine sector, who are working day in and day out. As an Independent TD, I will also have more Daíl time (for speaking, etc) than the average backbencher in one of the bigger parties.

“We could do with a senator, there is a deficiency there. I’d be very supportive of having a voice there as well so I’m pushing to get a Seanad nomination from the equine sector,” Dr Berry TD told The Irish Field yesterday (Friday).

Well-known thoroughbred breeder Dermot Cantillon is asking for support across the equine industry in his bid for a seat on the Seanad’s agricultural panel (see page 3). He would make an excellent advocate for the sport horse industry.

Congratulations to all those elected to the 33rd Dail, whatever their political persuasion. Let’s hope they can all be unified on the key issue of supporting indigenous Irish jobs in the equine and agri-food sectors.