Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food debate

Irish National Stud: Engagement with Chairperson Designate

An Cathaoirleach

Before we begin, I bring to everyone's attention to the fact that witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of that evidence. This means that a witness has a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on the issue at the Chair's discretion. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard and are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that as is reasonable no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses giving evidence from within those precincts, and they may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on the matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to the publication by witnesses outside of the proceedings held by the committee of any matter arising from the proceedings.

The agenda for this session is to meet with the chairperson designate of the Irish National Stud, Mr. David Mongey. Mr. Mongey's opening statement has been circulated. We will give him an opportunity to go through that before going on to questions and answers with the members. I draw members' attention to the fact that a vote has been called in the Dáil. We will go ahead with the Senators who are present. After the vote, the Deputies will return to the meeting.

Senator Paul Daly took the Chair.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Senator Paul Daly)

Mr. Mongey will have five minutes in which to deliver opening statement.

Mr. David Mongey

I am pleased to appear before the committee in my role as chair designate of the Irish National Stud. I welcome the opportunity to engage with and hear the views of the members. I will share a little about myself and the experience I have gained over my lifetime, which, I think, will bring value to this prestigious role. For over 40 years, I have managed the family business, Mongey Communications, which is in Naas, County Kildare, which I co-own with my brother Cyril. We specialise in providing audiovisual and technical products and services to both the event industry and the security industry. We work with the GAA, the IRFU, the FAI, Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, World Rugby and many State bodies and industries generally. We have been supported by Enterprise Ireland and that has allowed us to expand our services to the European and the US markets.

I am currently chairman of Punchestown Racecourse, the home of the Irish national hunt festival. As we approach this year's festival, we expect a total attendance of approximately 130,000. We hope that 26,000 of those people will come from the UK. More than 65 horses from the UK, the largest number ever entered, will be competing. We know from recent surveys that the festival delivers an economic impact of about €70 million to the local economy. One of my key objectives as chairman was to introduce the idea that Punchestown is not just a racecourse but a venue with opportunities to expand the non-core business. With its large landbank and facilities on location Punchestown has become the venue of choice for concerts, conferences and exhibitions. This has allowed us to get the benefit from the facilities, increase employment and deliver additional income to the business.

I have just completed an eight-year term as chairman of County Kildare Fáilte, the County Kildare tourism board. Its aims were to help build a sustainable industry where stakeholders work together to design and deliver quality experiences for domestic and international visitors, with the knock-on effect of creating jobs and helping to boost the economy. Kildare is the home of a large equestrian family, including Punchestown, the Curragh and Naas racecourses, the Irish National Stud and Goffs. The county is well served with many attractions. One of my key objectives during my term was to promote the county's patron saint, St. Brigid, where along with many others we were successful in getting the February bank holiday weekend in her honour. This allowed us to establish a series of annual events that attracted more visitors to Kildare in what traditionally would have been a leaner time of the year for hotels and guest houses.

I have also held the position of chair of the audit and risk committee of the Irish National Stud. This has allowed me and my committee to support the board by overseeing risk management, financial reporting and internal controls and has given me a deep and comprehensive understanding of the stud. The experience I have gained over the years will help me to lead the board of the Irish National Stud and ensure that it continues to be a string in the harp of what is one of Ireland's greatest treasures and an iconic institution. I have a great saying that in order to know where you are going, you need to know where you come from. The history of the Irish National Stud traces back to the formation of the State. In 1916, Colonel William Hall Walker, the then owner of the lands, gifted a nearly 1,000 acre farm of world-class broodmares held in Tully in County Kildare to the Government, which, at that time, was, of course, the British Government.

In 1922, with the establishment of the Free State, the Irish Government made an unsuccessful claim to the UK Government regarding the lands on which the National Stud is now located. Eventually, agreement was reached in December 1943 that the Irish Government would take possessions of the lands at Tully. In July 1945, during the Second Stage debate on the National Stud Bill, Dr. James Ryan, Minister for Agriculture at the time, stated, "The Government decided at an early date that Tully farm should be used as a stud farm, as a national stud." He further outlined:

It will be for the improvement of the very high-class blood horses. It can be made, I believe, the medium of valuable assistance and encouragement for the thoroughbred breeding industry generally. It will ensure that the services of the best class sires will be made available to small breeders.

In August 1945, the National Stud Act was passed by the Oireachtas. These original objectives, to support the development of a thoroughbred breeding industry in Ireland, showed a great understanding by the policymakers of the time of the need to harness our natural resource of talented horsemen and women, limestone-rich land and temperate climate into a successful industry.

In the most recent Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2025, Irish-bred horses made up four of the top 10 positions. The most recent economic figures from HRI in 2023 highlight an industry producing €2.46 billion in annual economic activity, supporting over 30,000 jobs, predominantly in rural areas, with over 1.2 million racegoers and more than €500 million in bloodstock sales by Irish vendors. In 1946, the breeding industry was a pale shadow of what it has become today. Over the past 80 years, Ireland has become a global leader. This did not happen by accident. It has been built on the support and recognition of successive Governments of the important role it plays in the promotion and development of the industry, job creation, economic activity, land management and society at large. While the National Stud has been a small cog in the wheel, it has played an important role in carrying out its original mandate to provide valuable assistance and encouragement for the thoroughbred breeding industry and to make best-class sires available at reasonable prices.

The stud has, however, also evolved significantly since its inception to carry out a range of tasks that could not have been foreseen. Matched with standing stallions and providing foaling and boarding services, the stud retains a strong broodmare band, the progeny of which are usually sold at public auction. It plays a central role in industry and wider community organisations and charities. Since the early 1970s, it has performed a strong educational training remit for future industry leaders. The annual Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, stud management course carries global renown.

The development of the stud and gardens as a visitor attraction brings equal benefits of creating a showcase for the industry while providing a strong complementary cash flow to the stud business. Conservation and preservation of the gardens and natural heritage are a key focus. The world-renowned Japanese gardens provide one of the finest examples of Japanese-style landscaping in Ireland and the world. The farm has welcomed many dignitaries and world leaders throughout its history and works closely with embassies and Department officials to provide an appropriate and tranquil location for important delegations. Conservation and preservation of the gardens, land and natural heritage are a key focus of the stud.

In terms of innovation and technology, the stud has worked closely with the local enterprise office, Kildare County Council and Innovate Kildare to establish the National Equine Innovation Centre on the grounds of the stud, providing office space, meeting rooms and services to high-potential start-up companies in the equine sector. Therefore, the Irish National Stud is more than it ever was intended to be. All of this was achieved while ensuring compliance and regulatory adherence befitting a State body and, if I may add, in the absence of sustainable annual Government funding.

One of my many ambitions and priorities for the next five years will be to drive excellence through people and for the board to create a pathway for both management and staff to achieve the highest standards in supporting what is a premier thoroughbred breeding facility. I know from my experience chairing the audit and risk committee that equine welfare is of a high priority and at the highest standard at the stud where the team are leaders in their field. I, along with the board, will ensure that this continues and every resource will be provided to maintain the Irish National Stud at the forefront in the advance of equine welfare.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, visitor numbers have increased from 120,000 to 145,000. I would like to retain our strong ambition to significantly increase tourism numbers further over the coming years. I look forward to working with the board, executive and staff, and with my best endeavours helping to provide leadership, support and guidance to further the ambitions of the Irish National Stud.

I thank the committee for inviting me to address it. I will be happy to answer questions. I would also like to take the opportunity to invite the committee members to the National Stud for a tour at a time of their convenience.

Senator Victor Boyhan

I welcome Mr. Mongey. I particularly acknowledge the presence of his wife, Ms Attracta Mongey, in the Visitors' Gallery. It is a great honour and privilege. I am originally from Kildare. My mother was a farmer from west Wicklow, in the lovely Grangecon. That is real horse country. I am a regular visitor to the stud and know the place very well.

I also had the privilege of being there when the late Queen Elizabeth was visiting. I was there at that time. I do not think there was ever a time I went inside the gates, into the lovely globe and down the path to the gardens, that I did not pinch myself with pride. It is a truly magnificent place, particularly in May, June and July. It is important. The National Stud is not a place for the elite, as some people would like to imply; it is for everybody.

I want to acknowledge an issue that Mr. Mongey mentioned in his comprehensive presentation. He talked about his ambition. I always like to listen to people who have ambition. He talked about his ambition around developing the education and training aspects of the facility at the National Stud. We talk about generational renewal in farming, but we must also think about it in this context. We must think about new jockeys, breeders, producers, etc., all the way through the various levels of equestrian sport and the breeding and farming industries.

It is clear that Mr. Mongey is here because he has talent. He was put forward and accepted by the Minister because he has talent. I have no doubt but that the Minister saw him in practice. A TD from Kildare said to me earlier, when I asked about Mr. Mongey, that he is a gem of a man from the county. I am delighted he is here. He comes highly recommended, and that is important.

The proceedings of this committee's meetings are broadcast. I say this at almost every meeting - I am sure other committee members are sick of me saying it - but there are little cameras on the four walls. People are watching and listening in. They will see details of what we are talking about on "Oireachtas Report". It is important that Mr. Mongey has come through a process and is not being appointed on the basis of political favouritism or a choice made by the Minister or any political part of this establishment. He came through a competitive process via publicjobs.ie. Ultimately, the Minister has recommended him. We received correspondence on 11 March from the Minister's office outlining details about Mr. Mongey. I am happy to endorse both what the Minister said about him and his recommendation. I wish Mr. Mongey well.

I look forward to the committee taking up the opportunity to travel to the lovely Tully Farm, which is just on the border of Kildare town, to see the work being done and to partner with Mr. Mongey and be champions for him. I would like to think that when he goes out of here, Mr. Mongey, who has extended to us an invitation, will take us on the opportunities, ask us the questions he might need to ask, and call on us.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Businesses have to survive. I like the commercial line, the focus on cash flow and spreading out the gardens. We know we have St. Fiachra's Garden there. We have the extension of the Japanese gardens. We know that Kildare retail is growing. Housing development is growing. Kildare is merging with Dublin, although we hope it will never merge fully. There are new commercial opportunities to put Kildare on the map. As someone who lives there, Mr. Mongey understands its people and their ambition. He understands the potential.

I know of Mr. Mongey's involvement as chairman at Punchestown racecourse. I also know of his involvement with the risk and audit committee of the National Stud. That stands him in a good place commercially, in terms of governance, openness and transparency. He made a commitment to us today about being people focused and driving the venue and expanding its potential. He is excited by it and ambitious for it. Mr. Mongey is the right man for the job and I am happy to endorse him.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Senator Paul Daly)

I do not think there was a question there, but Mr. Mongey has 46 seconds if he wants to respond.

Mr. David Mongey

I thank Senator Boyhan most sincerely for his kind words. The kindest words he could have said were to the staff and members of the team at the national stud when he said how well the place looked. It is a stunning place. It is nothing to do with me or the board; all credit to Cathal Beale and his team at the stud who have done a magnificent job. It is one of the strings in the harp of the Irish symbol and it is a treasure to our country.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Senator Paul Daly)

Like Mr. Mongey, I am a former chairman. I was chairman of Kilbeggan racecourse for 14 years. I have a two-year-old colt in training at the moment, so I have a vested interest in the equine sector. It is important that I put that on the record.

Like Senator Boyhan, I think it is a fantastic appointment. Through my involvement in horses, I am into national hunt racing. With the week that is in it, we have been talking about golf majors. The majors in national hunt racing at the back end of the season are the trio of Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown. That did not happen by accident. Having been involved for as long as Mr. Mongey was in Punchestown and having brought Punchestown to that level, it can only be positive for the national stud. I wish him the very best of luck. I endorse his appointment. As Senator Boyhan said, it can only be positive.

Will Mr. Mongey tell us his ambitions? From the equine point of view, it is appropriate that the stud is beside the Japanese gardens - we all know how fantastic it is. I have been in Japan. When it comes to flat racing, probably our biggest competitor for the high status we have in that equine sector will come from the Japanese. What role does Mr. Mongey see for the national stud in making sure we stay ahead of the likes of the Japan, which is enviously looking at us and actively coming after us?

Mr. David Mongey

It is a very good question. Interestingly enough, the Japanese ambassador is coming down to us on Friday for lunch. He is looking at us instead of us looking at them.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Senator Paul Daly)

They modelled on us and now they are closing the gap.

Mr. David Mongey

Absolutely, and the investment through the years at the stud, both in St. Fiachra's Garden and the national stud.

Getting the right stallion is a difficult thing to do. The stallion we had for a number of years, Invincible Spirit, was the cash cow, if members will excuse the expression. Our biggest struggle is to find a replacement for him. In fairness to the team down at the stud, we are searching and we have some-----

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Senator Paul Daly)

I will not castrate my two-year-old and we will see.

Mr. David Mongey

Here is an opportunity for this committee to get involved in getting a foal down there. I have huge ambitions for the stud in many ways. Getting the tourism and visitor sector to come to the stud is very important. I am a Kildare man. I speak to a lot of people from Kildare. When getting involved in this role, I asked if they had ever been at the national stud. I am talking to fellas in their 60s and the last time they had been at it was on a school tour. It is at their front door. This is about enkindling the Kildare people and locals to get involved. There is no better ambassador for your local tourism activity than your own neighbours and the people from Kildare. The St. Brigid thing has worked as an example of that. My ambition is to get the Kildare people to feel proud of their rational stud at their doorstep. To bring people to see what goes on there is the key.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Senator Paul Daly)

I thank Mr. Mongey. I wish him the very best of luck.

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere

I welcome Mr. Mongey. I thank him for coming in to us. I had the privilege two years ago of going with my family to the national stud. It is a fantastic experience. It is an incredible visitor experience. The feedback from my children who came with me on the day was that they had an out-of-this-world experience. As somebody who is a passionate advocate for horse racing, in particular national hunt racing, to see Beef Or Salmon, Hurricane Fly and the horses that brought so much joy and pleasure when they won to so many people was fascinating. It was an unbelievable experience.

From a Government perspective, what can we do to help the national stud to promote it even better to make sure it gets higher visitor numbers? I know it has increased significantly since Covid. Huge work is going on. From an international perspective, it is a fantastic attraction but from a local perspective, whether Kildare or the surrounding counties, every person I know who has been to the stud has had an incredible experience. What can we in government do to help the witnesses promote and allow them to continue to thrive and prosper into the future?

Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan

I wish Mr. Mongey the best of luck in his new role. I have been to the national stud many times with my own kids or even with my parents just for a day out for coffee and a walk around. I have a background in horses. We have mares - they are a little bit on the back foot at the moment. I worked for many stud farms in England in Gainsborough and Newsells Park. Ballylinch is where I started and I have also worked in a few others around Ireland. I have a great passion for horses. The national stud course was always the thing.

It was manager stuff - if you do that course, you get a manager's position. In a lot of the farms I worked on, that was where they came from. They had all gone through that course. Irish staff abroad are gold dust - they have a “wanted” sign for them – because we produce the best and it is the best ground for horses as well.

Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan

Yes, and you are almost guaranteed a manager’s job somewhere in the world.

Mr. David Mongey

Absolutely.

Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan

Back when I was working in England, Irish were few on the ground. There was one Irish person working on a stud farm. The difference is we had a bit of cop on. If an animal was sick, you knew it. You could see it from way out in the field. That was the difference.

Stallions are always a challenge. We all want to pick the right one and it can change overnight. The next year, that is cold. If you stick with it, you might hit it in a couple of years, but it is a risk. I understand that it is impossible to replace some of those really good stallions. They are once-in-a-lifetime stallions.

Mr. David Mongey

It is a roulette table.

Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan

It is. You can get it so wrong and you could have the best page in the world and he just does not produce the stock on the ground.

Mr. David Mongey

Correct.

Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan

They could have a trait that just comes out, even somewhere down along the family. That is a challenge.

On the gardens, it is hard to improve a lot on the gardens - they are beautiful - so it is really the question of the stallion and how we can get more children in. We are going on Thursday week. I look forward to going again and seeing what is new. I wish Mr. Mongey the best of luck.

Mr. David Mongey

I thank the Deputy.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin

Someone asked me earlier today if, being from Kildare, I knew David Mongey and I described him as a national treasure in Kildare.

As a Kildare person, I am only too delighted to be able to welcome him, and his good wife Attracta, of course. As Mr. Mongey knows, I am not from an equestrian background but I completely appreciate the economic value of the equine industry to Kildare and the whole country. We have a reputation internationally for being excellent and we have to keep that reputation and do everything we can to develop it. That is why I will always support funding the industry. Mr. Mongey said the Irish National Stud needed to have more funding to develop the stud and, in particular, to get new sires. Obviously, that is a key issue.

The Irish National Stud has an incredible history, dating back to 1900. An excellent book produced on it last year addressed the politics of the time. When the stud was donated to the State, it was then the British State and the Irish State was then able to take it over. There is a huge interest politically in the background of the stud. I know Mr. Mongey as an astute businessman and somebody who is passionate about Kildare, not just within the confines of the county but also as regards how we can promote Kildare and what is in it in a huge way. He did an incredible job around Brigid, which has been a passion of his for many years. We now have a bank holiday on which Brigid is recognised in every embassy across the world, with particular events held in London and the Middle East this year. I always think it is important to have somebody who is passionate about the role but also has business experience. Mr. Mongey has the business experience, the experience of being an ambassador for Brigid and Kildare and the experience of tourism.

During Covid, when we went through a particularly bad time because Kildare had more lockdowns than other counties, Mr. Mongey was instrumental in getting extra supports needed to market Kildare. So many people drive through our beautiful country without stopping. We want them to stop. The Irish National Stud, thankfully, is one of those places where people stop. It is wonderful to have local people involved. Most of my family members have annual membership of the stud because it is wonderful to visit it, especially during nice weather. Mr. Mongey mentioned having open days and encouraging people who have not been to the stud or the Japanese gardens to come. That is a great point.

I have every confidence that Mr. Mongey will bring his experience of creating something new to the role he is taking on. I wish him the best of luck in that role. I am not a member of this committee so I appreciate the Chair allowing me to say a few words. We are full square behind Mr. Marry. He is assured of any support any of us here - we are all cross-party - can give him.

Will Mr. Mongey talk to me about marrying his experience in tourism with how he will go forward with the Irish National Stud?

Mr. David Mongey

My experience in tourism, particularly with Brigid and in Punchestown, was about getting to know people and getting access to them. As I said, it is power through people. The greatest exponent of the stud will be getting people to the stud, and that can be achieved by the likes of open days. A lot of marketing needs to be done because the stud has been quiet down the years. The Senator might remember that when we started the Brigid journey we used the media, including "The Late Late Show", and other activities. The stud is very quiet. I hope to bring it up to the next level, with funding for marketing and getting local people's interest. As I said earlier, open days are important. School days and school tours are important. When I met the Senator's brother recently we spoke about the number of people who, when we spoke to them, said the last time they were at the stud was when they were on a school tour. We need to reactivate that. The team at the stud has huge talent to go and tap this market. I think that will be achieved.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin

I will just make another brief point. I am on the European affairs committee. There will be 280 ministerial visits in the six months starting on 1 July, of which 25% will be outside Dublin. We need to make sure some of them come to the stud. I thank the Chair.

An Cathaoirleach

And to Cork.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin

That goes without saying.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy

I thank Mr. Mongey for being here, and also his wife, Attracta. I live beside Punchestown Racecourse so I have seen what Mr. Mongey and his team have accomplished at Punchestown. It is nothing short of amazing. Also, my great grandfather was the farm manager at the Irish National Stud many years ago. I had not visited for many years but I was asked by its CEO, Mr. Cathal Beale, to come to an event there. It was a graduation, which was held in the restaurant. It was a formal graduation and a proper qualification and you could see that the industry is supporting younger people. More of that is needed. It is very positive. When I was younger we used to have point-to-point racehorses. The education and qualifications of the people working in the yards and the provision of additional supports for them were not supported by the industry. I was fascinated and really encouraged by that graduation.

I went to the stallion trail then. I went to Kildangan and a number of studs and was surprised at the level of stallion fees. I thought they would be tens and thousands of euro. There was a wonderful stallion there called Shouldvebeenaring, and I heard the story about that. It was about a guy who was heading to Paris to buy his girlfriend a diamond engagement ring and instead the lads took him to the races where he bought a horse and called it "Shouldvebeenaring". That is a stallion in the Irish National Stud. The national stud is a special place and a place for all of us. I had not visited it for years and I now regret that and want to get more involved. The potential for bringing the community to the stud is huge. Its staff are a hidden treasure. Mr. Mongey has fantastic staff.

Deputy Aird mentioned small breeders and how they are suffering. I was invited to the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, ITBA, awards in The Heritage in Laois recently. Deputy Newsome Drennan was with us. I was surprised at the awards going to farmer-breeders such as Sandra Russell, ordinary people who have kicked the ball out of the park when it comes to breeding fantastic horses. The potential is still there and the dream is still there for the ordinary Irish person. That is why I am encouraged to see Mr. Mongey's name put forward.

I have a question about staff development and training. What is Mr. Mongey's vision for that? My second question is on a point made by Senator O'Loughlin. How do we bring the community into what is one of Ireland's treasures, the national stud?

Mr. David Mongey

In terms of staff training, I know from my years on the audit and risk committee that the stud is very progressive at board, committee and staff level. During the year, I joined about four courses the stud did on animal welfare, vaccinations, husbandry and land management. The national stud is very progressive in that regard.

I believe in bringing more people to the stud. Open days are very important. I would love to have a big Kildare neighbourly showcase. Perhaps the Senator missed what I said earlier but that would help attract people. It is about having flashing lights and just bringing people to the stud, and letting them enjoy what the Senator and other members of the committee have enjoyed in that wonderful facility. That is one of my goals. Roughly 140,000 people visited last year. I would love to see that figure double during my term because there is potential to do so.

As the Senator knows, Punchestown is on in a couple of weeks' time and more than 26,000 visitors will be coming from the UK. I hope next year, with my two hats on, we will do a ticket for two, where people buy a ticket for Punchestown and get one for the stud. It is little things like that. Visitors will have a few hours before and after they go racing to come to the national stud.

There is huge potential to do other things with the other racecourses, such as the Curragh during derby week, and with Naas, Leopardstown, Fairyhouse and Gowran Park.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy

I want to put on the record that the National Stud is a special place. It is a jewel in the crown, and I am optimistic if David Mongey is in the hot seat.

An Cathaoirleach

On behalf of the committee, I thank the chair designate for attending the meeting. I join with members in wishing him well and every success in the new role. I acknowledge his wife, Attracta, who in the Gallery. Go n-éirí go geal libh. As there are no further matters for discussion, the meeting stands adjourned.

The joint committee adjourned at 6.10 p.m. until 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.

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Irish National Stud: Engagement with Chairperson Designate

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Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food debate -
Wednesday, 15 Apr 2026