WE asked six leading political parties why horse owners should vote for their representatives in next Friday’s General Election. Replies were received from Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Green Party. Taoiseach Simon Harris (Fine Gael) also answered some questions posed by The Irish Field at a media event in the Irish Farm Centre this week. These replies are reproduced here and, in some cases, edited on space grounds.

Fianna Fáil

It is impossible to overstate the benefits of the horse industry. Our Irish horse industry is the benchmark, which all other countries must aspire to meet. For decades, we have been outperforming competitors. This is because of the dedication of all those working in the industry and all those with a passion for horses.

Fianna Fáil is committed to maintaining our leadership position and we back this commitment up with action. In response to Brexit, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, introduced an equine e-passport and supported the sector with unprecedented funding.

If returned to Government, we will: support the Irish equine sector and maintain its position as a global leader; ensure that there are sufficient General Employment Permits (GEPs) to support the ambitions of the equine sector; upgrade regional veterinary laboratories; significantly increase the number of trained vets through completing our expansion of veterinary education; provide further resources to improve animal welfare and traceability.

Fianna Fáil understands the concerns in relation to the EU’s proposed welfare in transport regulations. To be clear; the EU has good intentions. The regulations aim improve conditions for young animals and animals going for slaughter. We have all been shocked by recent horrific stories of animal abuse. But it is not enough to be shocked, we must act. However, some of the European Commission’s proposals have the potential to undermine the success of our thoroughbred industry. Ireland is working with other EU Member States to find a solution. Fianna Fáil will continue to be the strongest possible advocate for our equine sector and will ensure that a solution is found.

Minister Pippa Hackett (Green Party) \ Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Green Party – by Minister Pippa Hackett

It might surprise readers to know that I only became involved in politics in 2016, around the time of that General Election when I read the Green Party’s election manifesto. At that stage of my life, I was busy rearing children and breeding horses on our family farm in Co Offaly.

The hard-earned and fully deserved reputation of the Irish equine sector as a world leader has been built on the passion, expertise, dedication and work ethic of so many people going back generations. It is a genuine source of national pride, and we have to do everything we can to protect it. At its core, our success is built on how deeply and attentively we care for our animals.

There is a growing appreciation in wider society of the sentience, intelligence and dignity of all animals, none more so than the horse. This is welcome, but it comes with increased scrutiny.

The Green Party manifesto is online for anyone who wants to read it. I won’t rehearse the details here, save to highlight one commitment that I believe represents the most important policy change that could be made overnight to safeguard the future of Government funding for Irish racing - and, by extension, the trickle-down effect of that funding to the wider Irish equine sector, both sport horses and race horses.

The Horse and Greyhound Fund is currently split 80:20 in favour of horseracing. This means that, if Government funding for horseracing is to increase or even be maintained at current levels, greyhound funding too has to be maintained or increased in proportion. Government funding for the greyhound sector is becoming increasingly controversial for swathes of the electorate.

The Green Party proposes to end that association, by making greyhound racing stand on its own two feet, based on its own welfare record and its own contribution to the wider economy. The Green Party is the only one of the three Government parties proposing this change, and I believe that is the single biggest reason The Irish Field readers should Vote Green on November 29th.

Martin Kenny TD Sinn Féin at the 2024 IFA Conference in the Irish Farm Centre in Bluebell, Co Dublin \ Claire Nash

Sinn Féin – by Deputy Martin Kenny

Sinn Féin have a deep understanding of the issues facing horse owners across the country. Whether horse owners are involved for leisure or with the objective of racing, the health and welfare of the animal is always at the forefront of the owner’s mind. Supporting owners to care for their horses is one of our objectives and we understand there are challenges in that regard.

Sinn Féin also understands the frustration felt by many horse owners, who are facing substantial delays and inefficiencies in a vast and complex system. It is an issue right across the agricultural sector for decades now, and is something Sinn Féin have been vocal on. We need to see the basics delivered, including timely processing of horse passports, ownership application and other identification processes – which is not currently the case. The processing delays cause significant disruption to horse owners, and there is little oversight or accountability.

A Sinn Féin government is committed to ensuring there is improved efficiency across the Department of Agriculture and its aegis. Responsible horse owners and breeders should be able to rely on a timely and accessible system, something which has not been provided to them under the current government.

Fine Gael – questions answered by Simon Harris

Q: What commitments are Fine Gael making to the horse sector?

We will continue to support the sector. We will continue the horse and greyhound fund. The industry is worth a huge amount to the Irish economy, but even beyond that, it is in our DNA, it gives us a sense of pride.

Q: There is currently no licensed equine abattoir in Ireland. Is it something that needs to be sorted out quickly?

It does involve careful consideration. We need to make sure the higher standards always apply, that is what the industry has always been based on. There need to be serious consequences where those standards are not applied. We need to take stock at this stage and review the landscape. My position is to look at the issue in the round, to ask the Department to review these matters and to respond back to Government in a quick time frame.