Horse Racing Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024

Wednesday, 8 May 2024

Ceisteanna (419)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

419. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, the recorded or registered conflicts of interests declared by each panel member and official involved in reviewing the equine marketing tender, breeding services and studbook tenders received by his Department in February 2022 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20672/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, and communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of Marketing Services, National Breeding Services and Studbook Services for the Sport Horse Sector. Procurement processes for the provision of the above named Services for the Sport Horse Sector were carried out by my Department in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines. 

All members of the evaluation team and my officials, which carried out the compliance checks, completed confidentiality/conflict of interest declaration forms. None of those involved registered any conflict of interest which would impair their impartial and objective performance in their duties in the procurement process.