Address by Mr. Noel Tracey T.D.,Minister for Science, Technology and Commerceat the Official Opening of Glenamaddy Indoor Equestrian Centreon Saturday 14th October 2000

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Dr P J Geraghty for inviting me here this evening to perform the official opening of 3 shows at this brand new Equestrian Centre here in Glenamaddy, the largest of its kind in the West of Ireland. The provision of top class facilities, such as are available at this complex, is an outstanding achievement and credit is due to all those associated with this venture, especially the Geraghty Family. Obviously the Leader Grant of £100,000 was put to very good use. Indeed this equestrian centre is one of the largest projects funded by our local LEADER group, the Galway County Rural Development Board. It reflects the confidence which they have in the Geraghty family and in this centre. Since its introduction in 1995, LEADER II has had an enormous impact on the development of County Galway and in fact on rural areas throughout Ireland. We have led Europe as we were the first test Country for the first ? of Leader, within the EU and as a result of our efforts, Leader is now a European made initiative.

Glenamaddy Equestrian Complex Ltd is a family run business involving a wide variety of services to the horse industry including breeding, training and livery. One of their most recent successes was "Carling King" which was bred here by Dr. Pat Geraghty and represented Ireland on the 4 Nations Cup team in Aachen, Rotterdam, Calagary and Hicksted. To mark this prestigious occasion this Company have organised this three day event, involving novice classes, amateur classes and speed classes. Over these three days, over sixty Irish national and international riders will be participating with over four hundred horses competing here, culminating in a grand prix with a total prize fund in excess of £12,000. The prize fund for the various classes ranges from £100 right up to £3,000 for the grand prix. With such high class national and international competitions and such generous and attractive prizes it is no wonder that this three day Show is turning out to be a huge success. I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the high level of skill and obvious dedication of all of the participants in these competitions. It augurs well for the future of this great and popular Sport.

The horse industry in Ireland is a very important one. We have the natural resources and the innate skills required to breed, train and develop top quality horses for a wide variety of uses. We can and are in those circumstances successfully competing in international events and in the best way possible marketing our prime products effectively on the world stage. This Government has for some time now recognised the real potential for growth in this important Sector. It has as a consequence used Structural Funds very strategically over the period since 1989 to develop all aspects of the horse industry.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development has also since the early 90's provided Exchequer Funds to assist the Irish Horse Board to provide excellent Registration, Information, Marketing and related services to this Sector. The result is a significant improvement in the input which the horse industry has to sustaining farmers incomes, the life-blood of rural communities, tourism and the economy as a whole.

To get back to the serious business on hand here today of officially opening this fine new facility I must say that this is a very versatile complex. Recently plant construction auctions were held here and it is hoped to have exhibitions and concerts here in the near future. This area has no venue for the sale of sport horses and the family are hoping to offer this service also. There is no limit to their enthusiasm and entrepreneurship and the potential opportunities are enormous.

I would like, on behalf of the Company, to thank all of the sponsors for their support. The cost of running an event of such magnitude, especially for the first time, is very high and without your generous sponsorship it would not have been possible to mount this very exciting event.

So, to conclude, I want to wish Dr. Pat and Mrs. Geraghty, and their great family, especially Darragh, the Centre Manager, continued success with all of your plans and operations here in Glenamaddy in the exciting years ahead for them, this Centre, the Town of Glenamaddy and the entire Island of Ireland.