Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be clear, does HRI legally have a remit in terms of animal welfare? From his response, Mr. Osborne seems to be trying to keep this at arm's length from his organisation. He has said that it is the responsibility of the owners and HRI has no real oversight in the matter. If that is the case, so be it, but it is not my understanding. As a member of the public and the Oireachtas, I would have imagined that Horse Racing Ireland - the entity responsible for the industry and positioning Ireland, quite rightly, as a global exemplar in managing the equine industry - should have a far more hands-on approach to equine welfare, rather than just saying it is the owners' responsibility and that it funds a charity for the end of life of horses. What is the function of the microchipping and the passporting of horses if it does not have, at some point, a role in welfare? Are these just animals to be taken into the industry?