RESPONDING to Dáil Deputies over Horse Sport Ireland’s proposed relocation, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD (FF) stated this decision was a matter for HSI’s Board.
Questions over HSI’s plans to move from Naas to Greenogue in Rathcoole were tabled by Kildare Deputies Catherine Murphy (SD) and Bernard Durkan (FG).
Reiterating previous comments by Minister for State, Josepha Madigan, on this issue, Minister McConalogue said: “HSI is a company limited by guarantee that operates independently of my department. I am advised that its board has examined a number of sites as a location for its headquarters and National Centre of Excellence as part of a selection process carried out by a sub-committee of the board. The final decision on a site is a matter for the board of HSI.”
He also told Deputy Murphy: “HSI advises that the work of the sub-committee has been ongoing for two years and has involved the consideration of many different locations. It also advises that it has engaged with a range of potential sites and hired a property valuer and advisor to review property and land offerings as well as availability of property to purchase, rent or develop. The sub-committee examined options not involving additional state funding.
“HSI indicated that it has engaged with all Olympic and Para discipline affiliates on the Greenogue proposal; Showjumping Ireland, Eventing Ireland, Dressage Ireland and Paraequestrian Ireland. They indicate also that have met with their equestrian sport and recreation affiliates ranging from the Association of Irish Riding Clubs, Riding Establishments, Mounted Games, Endurance, Irish Quarter Horse Association, Irish Pony Club, Irish Pony Society, TREC Ireland, Riding for the Disabled and Irish Shows Association to discuss the matter. These affiliates bodies encapsulate circa 30,000 participants in Ireland,” said Minister McConalogue.
Not move at all
Deputy Durkan raised what he termed was “something a little more parochial related to Co Kildare.”
The Kildare TD said: “When I raised this issue previously, it was pointed out to me that it is only a matter of a couple of hundred metres. My response was that is all the more reason it should not move at all. I ask the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, to use their influence to try to ensure that centre of excellence is located in Co Kildare, adjacent to all the other racing, bloodstock and sport horse facilities that are readily available and where there are available sites.’’
In response, Minister McConalogue said: “I am aware that Horse Sport Ireland is considering relocating to a new site as part of the establishment of a new headquarters and a national centre of excellence. HSI is a company limited by guarantee. It is not a State Body established by legislation and it is operationally independent of my Department. The location of a site for its headquarters is a matter for its board. It would be inappropriate for me to express a view on the merits of any specific location in a way that might prejudice its deliberations.”
No veto power
Deputy Catherine Murphy was also informed by Minister for State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD (FF), that some €91,000 in funding was given to HSI by his department since 2006.
Asked by Deputy Catherine Murphy could Sport Ireland veto the relocation move by Horse Sport Ireland, Minister Chambers replied: “National Governing Bodies of Sport such as Horse Sport Ireland are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own operational arrangements and procedures for their sports.
“I am informed by Sport Ireland that they have not met with Horse Sport Ireland in respect of the relocation and cannot veto such a decision by an independent National Governing Body.
“I understand that both the Minister and Minister of State for Agriculture, Food and the Marine have engaged with Horse Sport Ireland on this matter,” concluded Minister Chambers.