Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Turf Club for its presentation. I am somebody who probably knows the least about horse racing in this committee. We do not have any courses in Donegal. We have plenty of bookies but we do not have any racecourses. I wanted to ask about the integrity services and the Turf Club's request in respect of off-course integrity checks. The presentation stated that the Turf Club carries out dope testing on a voluntary basis. Do any other bodies carry out drug testing off course or when horses are in training because it seems that this is very important and should be included in the legislation? If the Turf Club is the body that is responsible for drug testing on course, it makes sense for it to be carried out by the same regulator off course. Could the witnesses expand on that?

In respect of the requirement to consult with HRI regarding rule changes, the proposal mentions the word "consult". It does not say "take into account" or anything like that. Could the witnesses expand on how that undermines the independence of the Turf Club in respect of the requirement to consult?

In respect of the head that covers the actual fees from licensing and registration, I presume they are dispersed back to the Turf Club as a way of financially controlling the expenditure of HRI. I could see how this could affect the independence of the Turf Club. I presume those fees come directly to the Turf Club and are separate from any grants received so it looks like a way of tightening up financial controls and reducing budgets rather than improving the effectiveness of the operation of the Act.