Horse Sport Ireland

Politician(s) lobbied: William Aird (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Fitzmaurice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aindrias Moynihan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Kenny (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Natasha Newsome Drennan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Cooney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter 'Chap' Cleere (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gillian Toole (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Lowry (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Senator), Seanad; Paul Daly (Senator), Seanad; Mark Daly (Senator), Seanad; Niall Blaney (Senator), Seanad; Shane Curley (Senator), Seanad; Alison Comyn (Senator), Seanad; Joanne Collins (Senator), Seanad; Eileen Lynch (Senator), Seanad; Victor Boyhan (Senator), Seanad; James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Michael Moynihan (Minister of State), Department of Education; Jerry Buttimer (Minister of State), Department of Rural and Community Development; Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Rural and Community Development; Charlie McConalogue (Minister of State), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Patrick O'Donovan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brian Purcell (Adviser to Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Jack O'Donnell (Special Advisor to the Tanaiste), Department of Foreign Affairs; Darragh Gallagher (Special Adviser), Department of Rural and Community Development; Niall O’ Connor (Special Advisor), Department of Foreign Affairs; Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (MEP), European Parliament; Timmy Dooley (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; John Clendennen (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; James O'Connor (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Noel Grealish (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Naoise O'Cearúil (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Daniel Griffin (Special Adviser), Department of Foreign Affairs; Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Paschal Donohoe (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Simon Harris (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs; Regina Doherty (MEP), European Parliament; Colm Brophy (Minister of State), Department of Justice; Maeve O'Connell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Education; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Christopher O'Sullivan (Minister of State), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Intent: 1) Provided an update on improvements in HSI horse passporting and registration since 2024. ::2) Highlighted Prof Wall report, horse welfare issues and need for action. ::3) Outlined success of National Breeding Services. ::4) Highlighted high performance programme - successes and gaps. ::5) Explained challenges for the sport horse sector - US tariffs, succession planning, employment permits, skills gaps etc. ::6) Provided breakdown of HSI structure and funding. ::7) Highlighted challenges facing riding centres around the costs of commercial rates and insurance.

Methods: Phone callEmailMeetingInformal communication

Politician(s) lobbied: Nina Carberry (MEP), European Parliament; Michael McNamara (MEP), European Parliament; Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament

Intent: To highlight challenges facing the equestrian sector in Ireland and the role of Horse Sport Ireland.

Methods: MeetingEmail

Politician(s) lobbied: Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice

Intent: 1) Proposed equine crime initiative similar to Operation Gallop in Northern Ireland2) Increased visa access for equestrian staff

Methods: Submission

Politician(s) lobbied: Simon Harris (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs; Jack O'Donnell (Special Advisor to the Tanaiste), Department of Foreign Affairs; Joanne Lonergan (Programme Manager - Tánaiste), Department of the Taoiseach; Niall O’ Connor (Special Advisor), Department of Foreign Affairs; Nina Carberry (MEP), European Parliament; Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: 1) Highlighting the importance of the sport horse sector and trade with the US. ::2) Requesting that sport horses be included in any EU exemption, as proposed for the thoroughbred sector.

Methods: EmailInformal communication

Politician(s) lobbied: Nina Carberry (MEP), European Parliament; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament; Michael McNamara (MEP), European Parliament

Intent: To inform MEPs on the potential impact on the sector and discussed possible changes to the EU's approach. ::Sought amendment to include equidae transported for breeding or rearing purposes, or to or from auctions organised by approved houses.

Methods: MeetingEmail

Politician(s) lobbied: Nina Carberry (MEP), European Parliament; Michael McNamara (MEP), European Parliament; Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament

Intent: To highlight the impact proposed revision could have on some equine businesses. ::To have these sectoral concerns considered when revising Package Travel Directive.

Methods: MeetingEmail

Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Intent: Highlight underutilised role of equine-assisted activities and therapy in supporting: • Children and young people with disabilities.• Mental health and wellbeing.• Children in care and in the direct provision system.• Social inclusion for marginalised or underserved youth.

Methods: Submission

Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Amii McKeever (Special Adviser), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Intent: 1) To Highlight the findings of the Business of Horsepower: Staffing the Equine Sector report. 2) Improve training and address skills gaps in the sector. 3) HSI applying for Skillnet funding.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Barry Cassidy (Special Adviser), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Brian Purcell (Adviser to Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Gordon Conroy (Assistant Secretary General), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Intent: 1) Highlighted the need for further investment in Sport Horse Sector. 2) The importance of addressing horse welfare concerns and the need to progress with Prof. Wall report. 3) Provided an update on Horse Passporting services and HorseSource. 4) Provided an update on National Breeding Services schemes and grants.

Methods: MeetingEmail

Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul Clarkson (Government Press Secretary), Department of the Taoiseach

Intent: Highlight successes of Irish youth teams and the need for further investment and commitment to equestrian sports

Methods: Event / Reception