Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2025
463. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a tender process was initiated one year earlier than expected for the studbook services contracts; the number of applicant bidders for each lot; the score each bidder received in each lot; the names and qualifications of each member of the evaluation panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67719/25]
View answerThe Studbook Service contracts to which the Deputy refers commenced in January 2023 for a period of 24 months with the option to extend the term of the contract for a period up to 24 months with a maximum of one such extension. In line with the provisions of the contract it was decided that the contract would be extended for 12 months to the end of 2025.
A procurement competition was recently held for the provision of this service for the period from 1 January 2026. This procurement process is on-going and accordingly I am not in a position to release specific details requested regarding this competition.
The evaluation panel and qualifications for the studbooks request for tender were as follows:
Assessment Panel – Studbooks
|
Name |
Qualifications |
|
Mr Paul Dillon – Chair of panel |
Former Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Invited onto the assessment panel to contribute his extensive knowledge, experience and competence in dealing with processes and procedures within the Civil Service and his broad and detailed knowledge of the Agricultural sector in Ireland. |
|
Prof Donagh Berry |
Prof. Donagh Berry is a Senior Principal Researcher in Quantitative Genetics at Teagasc. He leads research in quantitative genetics and animal breeding across a range of species including cattle, sheep, horses and dogs pioneering the development of genomic selection in cattle in Ireland as well as the national breeding objectives and breeding scheme design. He has a PhD in quantitative genetics and MSc in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology. Donagh was invited to form part of the evaluation panel because of his >25 years’ extensive knowledge on topics contributing to the success of animal breeding programs including phenotyping strategies, genetic and genomic evaluations, decision support tools, breeding goal development and deployment, breeding scheme design, validation and knowledge exchange |
|
Dr Bridget Younge |
Dr. Bridget Younge is an Associate Professor in Animal Nutrition at the University of Limerick. Her research includes nutrient metabolism and gastrointestinal function. She has over 25 years’ experience in animal nutrition research and university teaching, She lectures in equine nutrition, animal feeding and digestion, and equine genetics, and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate research. She also holds key governance roles as Course Director for Equine Science, Chair of the Student Status Committee, and the University Animal Ethics Committee. Bridget was invited to form part of the evaluation panel due to her practical and extensive knowledge of the sport horse industry and her research contributions, experience in academic governance and scientific evaluation. |
|
Ms Frances MacAodhain |
Frances MacAodhain is a Principal Officer in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. She is responsible for Animal Identification and Registration including equine traceability and the delivery of the Minister’s Action Plan to reform the equine traceability system in line with the recommendations of Professor Patrick Wall’s report. Ms MacAodhain was invited to form part of the evaluation panel due to her knowledge of the complexities of equine identification legislation and her role in overseeing equine passport services to ensure they are efficient, reliable and secure. |
