Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was going to ask that question. I wish Mr. Keeling all the best. I am very impressed with his CV. He is coming into an industry when the economy in this country and horseracing face major challenges. I remember going to the races at Gowran Park as a child. Even as a teenager, when my parents were not going, I always made sure I got a lift. It is other people coming through the gates and showing an interest in racing. We see promotions and extra family days at many racecourses but it is not sticking. We are not getting younger people to come to races. People will go to Galway, Listowel, Punchestown or Fairyhouse because it is a bit of fun, but we are not getting people through the gates for the one-off day meetings. The majority of race meetings, even those at my own track at Gowran Park, are running at a loss except for two or three big days they have per year. Fees from television stations are keeping the tracks going. I was watching racing in England yesterday and they were running in snow. I know it was an all-weather track but it was covered in snow and they were running in it. It is important for the industry because the betting industry is a major part of it.

How many staff are employed by HRI? Does the majority of funding come from profits from Tote Ireland? Do the racetracks have to pay HRI a levy? I acknowledge the presence of Mr. Brian Kavanagh. I know he has a Kilkenny connection and I wish him all the best. Trying to get younger people to come to races and to keep coming back is a major challenge for Mr. Keeling or anybody involved in HRI. They might go for a week's racing for fun but how do we get these people to go to one-off days on the country tracks?