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

I thank the representatives for appearing before the committee and imparting their views on the Bill. It is important to outline the process, which is the first time the committee has done this. We have introduced a new reform in how we deal with legislation. Normally, the Bill would be brought through the House and one would argue the toss over amendments on Committee Stage. This is a pre-legislative stage in which all stakeholders, such as the witnesses, appear before the committee and tell us where there are potential nominees. Mr. Andrew Coonan pointed out a number of them, as did the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, ITBA, around the foal levy and a number of different issues. This allows us to pass Bills more quickly. If we can head off some of the potential problems at the start by feeding them back into the Department, we hope that when the detailed Bill comes before us some of the problems will be headed off. That is what makes this process very useful.

I am interested to hear from all the bodies appearing before us whether there are elements of foreign practice from which we could learn. Are there things that other countries do in how they run their racing that we could do better here? I am aware that not every country can be compared to Ireland. In terms of funding streams and betting, I am conscious that a country such as France is not comparable as it does not have the same betting system as Ireland. In the area of integrity and mergers, have other countries done something similar? Are there pitfalls of which we need to be aware and from which we can learn?

Perhaps Mr. Iceton would outline some details around the foal levy. How much is the foal levy? While he has pointed out the role it plays, perhaps he would expand on it, as it is a key role.