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

I thank the groups for their very detailed presentations. They have obviously all put considerable work into them and brought their experience of their relevant industries to the table, which is what this pre-legislative stage is all about. I start with Mr. Phil Meaney and Ms Geraldine Larkin's presentation on behalf of Bord na gCon. We spent a great deal of time in the committee recently discussing horse racing and the importance of it to the economy and rural Ireland. Similarly, if on a slightly different scale, the greyhound industry employs a great many people and creates economic activity. It is a key component of the horse and greyhound fund. Plenty of jobs in my constituency, Kildare South, are provided directly and indirectly by the greyhound industry.

Mr. Meaney touched on necessary enhanced controls and referred to accountability. That is important to all sectors as we strive to ensure that every sector is transparent and to move on that. Bord na gCon has its own Indecon report and we will have to deal with that in future and ensure, as is happening with the racing industry, that our structures are as good as they can be and that we future proof the industry. The greyhound industry is key and has the potential to grow. It has its problems, on which we all must work together to solve them. I do not have any direct questions for now and look forward to having the witnesses in when we get to deal with the Indecon report and working with the industry.