Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her very positive response. The key lies in rolling out the strategy. The horses owned, bred and trained in Ireland are the envy of the world. We can never take that position for granted. We always need to improve it. The sector recognises that we need to work on welfare issues. We need to work on the welfare of the jockeys and all the people in the bloodstock industry. We need to have a favourable economic and tax regime that supports this unique industry for Ireland. Let us never take it for granted. We need to continue to improve it. We need to deal with and analyse the strategy and the direction. Of course, every year we endorse the funding for this sector, and that funding is an important part of it. I thank the Minister of State, the Minister for agriculture and the Department for the very favourable response to this industry which is unique to Ireland.