Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Is everybody happy with that?

Head 18 is self-explanatory. It repeals the Horse Racing Ireland (Membership) Act 2001. That is understood. We are not voting on anything here, we are here to understand it. The head provides the Short Title and citation to the Bill as well as its commencement. Again, that is self-explanatory. Are members happy with that?

The purpose of today's meeting was that members would be given an explanation by the officials on the amendments to the Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill. To that end I thank Mr. Brendan Gleeson and his colleagues for appearing before the committee at short notice. Whatever apprehension the officials may have had, it is fair to say that they have a thorough grasp of the draft legislation and have been able to share their interpretation of it with us in a way in which we could readily understand. The line of questioning was precise. This was due to the fact that the officials had made it easy for us to get a grasp of the Bill.

Other stakeholders will appear before the committee before the recess so that we can progress our consideration of the heads of the Bill. As it may not be possible to have them all appear before the committee physically we may have written submissions from some.