Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their excellent submission and contributions this morning. I have some comments and questions to add to those of Deputy Heydon. While I realise we are supposed to be focusing on the Bill, I believe having the delegates present is a great opportunity to talk about bookmakers. If we were to increase the tax, should it affect the bookmaker or the customer? Should we split it between the two? Would it not be mad to tax turnover rather than profit? I would go out of business in certain years if I were taxed on turnover, because the margin differs depending on trends associated with commodities in the global market. I would be interested in hearing Mr. Keeling's comments on taxation. In asking this, I am taking advantage of his presence today.

I heard Mr. Keeling speak very well on the radio around the time of the Derby. We were all sad about the Derby this year and the runners. It is so important to our fixtures and to how we present ourselves to the world. Dubai Duty Free was the sponsor - my goodness. Will the delegates comment on the pattern committee? How can we get France, England and Ireland to ensure races are properly spaced out? How could we have the equivalent of a Triple Crown such that we would be assured of getting the French and English runners as opposed to simply having an uncompetitive race, albeit with the most wonderful horse we will see for years? We still like a bit of competition.

With regard to integrity, which is the nub of the Bill, I would like a few comments from Mr. Kavanagh on the investment to date in integrity services. There is so much involved in integrity, including in respect of cameras on course and keeping up to date.

Deputy Ferris, who is not present, was very interested in the comments of the delegation. This is a difficult time for the Turf Club and HRI because change is afoot. Change is hard but good. The comments of Deputy Ferris on the premises interest me greatly. Is there enough room for everyone? Can we put up Chinese walls and save substantial money, for the good of the industry. I would like to hear the delegates comments on that. I would like to hear the comments of the Turf Club also when its representatives are present.

If there were a huge court case in years to come, what would happen? At present, I understand that the Turf Club has a fund in its backroom that would fund a High Court or Supreme Court case. This could be expensive. If HRI's funding from the Government is such that there are only so many euros to go around, what would happen if there were a very expensive court case and this legislation were passed as it stands?

With regard to the comments of Deputy Martin Heydon, not everyone is as passionate as we all are about the industry. The past few days have served the industry very well. To me, the racing bodies are like an IDA or Enterprise Ireland of the rural sector throughout the country. I refer to all the foreign direct investment. I was very interested in hearing Mr. Kavanagh's comments on how far we are falling behind. This is why it is important that we get this betting legislation right. If in the future we had a Government that did not particularly like racing and whose mandate just did not cover it, I would worry about who would be put on the board. Every submission we have heard expressed worry about the board. Everyone wants a place on the board. The Indecon report referred to 12 members. We want to hear the delegates' comments on the board.