Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In subhead A3 on research and training there is a 5% reduction of €1.5 million. What is the difference between research and training and A5, which is Teagasc grant-in-aid? Does research and training come under Teagasc also or is it separate? In terms of the slight reduction for Teagasc, is the Minister happy that Teagasc will be able to continue to provide the vital services it provides?

I welcome the beef genomics scheme. I missed Deputy Ó Cuív's outline of the detail of it in his opening statement but it is to be welcomed that we would look to protect our beef sector at a time of massive dairy growth.

I acknowledge that this Government has continually sought to maintain the Horse and Greyhound Fund, with a very small reduction. I accept that every area has to take a small cut but we tried to maintain the Horse and Greyhound Fund as best we could in light of the fact that previously it was cut to the bone. It must be recorded that the horse and greyhound industry cannot continue in the long term with this level of funding. I spoke on the Betting (Amendment) Bill last week. We need to move to more sustained, self-sufficient funding but for now, in the position we are in with annual budgets, it is the best we can hope for the industry.