Mr. Paddy Walsh:

Deputy Lawlor referred to the fairness of the allocation of fixtures. It is not dissimilar to the capital development grants. Over recent years the system, which comprises a working group, a fixtures committee and the HRI board, has been a very effective structure which has worked very well. It has helped to ensure that the allocation of fixtures by the HRI board is done on a very fair and equitable basis. We spoke briefly today about some of the big meetings such as that which took place last weekend, derby days, grand nationals and festival meetings. They are all, to some extent, written in stone.

We also have what we call industry days, in which there might not be a huge interest by certain sectors of the public or our audience, but such races are necessary to provide opportunities for horses to run. When those fixtures were being handed out down through the years, not that many racecourses were eager to take them on. In some cases the HRI tracks were persuaded to take them, which might have worked against them - being HRI tracks. In general terms our experience has been that it has been done on a reasonable-----