Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all witnesses for their presentations.

We will be studying the Bill in great detail in the weeks ahead. The importance of horse racing to the Irish economy is evident. I noted in one of the presentations that there are 60,274 breeders. I did not that realise there were that many involved in the industry. Also, the industry is important to rural communities. Rural Ireland is dependent on the industry, especially in recessionary times with the impact of emigration and so forth.

Under head 4(7), in respect of the board member nominees, it is contended that all should have a working knowledge of the industry, with one having a thorough knowledge of the horse racing and breeding industries. Could that person be nominated by jockeys?