Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I welcome this opportunity to speak. I am coming to this debate from the jobs perspective. Both associations appearing before the committee are very important in terms of the jobs perspective. My brother in law, Ray Carroll, is probably a member of the organisation. For many years the Lawlors were always involved in horses, one way or the other. Like Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, I have a passion for this sport and am concerned about where it is going when I see that race tracks are struggling to survive and racehorse owners are struggling to finance the industry. There have been job losses and trainers are in difficulty.

That has a knock-on effect on the Irish Stable StaffAssociation. Does the Bill address the future of the industry? Does it ring-fence finances and identify where they will be directed? How will the industry survive?
Both delegations have been part of the board since 2001 but during that time the industry has become seriously constricted. I am concerned that the Bill does not address any of the issues I outlined and is merely cosmetic. We need to get down to the nub of the industry. Sadly, the legislation does not address the issues, and I would like to hear comments from the delegations on the matter.
In the past year - I asked the Minister about this matter - HRI appointed a person to liaise and generate new owners. Has the initiative been successful? How much involvement has Mr. Weld or his association had with the Minister? An additional three members will be appointed to the board. Earlier someone asked me whether their appointment was just another case of jobs for the boys. Is that true? Should one of the ministerial appointments, according to the Bill as it stands, be given to the Irish Stable Staff Association?Perhaps Mr. Caldwell has a strong view on the matter. I would like to hear the views of the delegations on the matter and on the Bill in general. To my mind, the Bill empowers HRI but does not solve the overall problems in the industry.