Mr. Michael Hickey:

Deputy Heydon asked if it would not be a good thing to have point-to-point racing included in the proposed legislation. I think that point-to-points have worked very well without being in the Act. We as a committee, the hunts and the people involved do not see any need for point-to-points to be nationalised.

Deputy Lawlor asked about the starting stalls being under the remit of HRI, and if I may answer, and Mr. Neville might add to it if he wishes, not only are the starting stalls under the remit of HRI but the stall handlers are employed by HRI. That means that if there is a problem at the start to do with loading a horse that we need to investigate, we cannot do it because the stall handlers, who do a great job, are employed by HRI. There are times when we might need to hold an inquiry, but the Turf Club cannot bring the handlers into the stewards' room during the inquiry.

The same applies to the photo finish, which one would think is a regulatory function.

It is no secret that the capital development of race courses is funded from a percentage of the media rights which the HRI holds back. Deputy Lawlor made reference to us going cap in hand to HRI if we want something and that is exactly what will happen if the heads of the Bill remain as they are. We are a separate organisation to HRI and perform a completely different function. We are internationally acclaimed for our rules and regulations. One only has to compare the way we handled the whip issue with the way the British handled it. We put on a show at the weekend, in conjunction with the entire racing industry, that anyone in the world could be proud of. Why should the regulatory body be put in a position where it has no autonomy and has to get the agreement of HRI if it wants to entertain dignitaries from another jockey club? Mr. Egan, for example, gave a talk to the American Jockey Club recently but if we wanted to invite representatives of that club here, we have no financial autonomy to do so and must ask HRI for €1,000 to entertain them. That would be a ridiculous situation for an organisation which has handled Irish racing at an international level for so many years. I would ask the committee to look again at that aspect of the heads of the Bill.

I hope I answered the Chairman's question about point-to-point racing adequately.