Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I understand that both of the available tests for stanozolol - an oil-based test and a water-based test - are undertaken in the UK but the water-based test is the only one that is undertaken here in the Republic of Ireland. It seems this is based on the Australian model that is used here. It appears that when Irish dogs are tested for this drug when they go to race in England, the test results are predominantly positive for this drug. I understand this can be attributed to the new testing methods that are in place in England. I can point the witnesses in the direction of various examples. I am absolutely certain that they are aware of these examples. Following a hearing held by the disciplinary committee of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain on 16 September last, a professional trainer, George Gibbinson, was found to be in breach of UK rules. I would like to know why, in cautioning Mr. Gibbinson, the disciplinary committee felt the need to urge all trainers to exercise due diligence in assessing the drug status of greyhounds purchased from Ireland. When did the chairman and the board last discuss this issue? Have they discussed it? I understand steps may be afoot to bring in new standards of testing that would include oil-based testing. How many of the tests that were carried out on Irish dogs by the Irish Greyhound Board over the past three years were sent to laboratories in England for further testing to clarify the authenticity of the tests carried out here?

How many of those tests were sent to laboratories in England for further testing to clarify the authenticity of the tests carried out in this country? What were the results of the tests? If a positive result is shown at any Irish greyhound meeting, what is the board's protocol with regard to publishing the outcome of that test? Is it published immediately or within 24 hours, for instance? Drug abuse in sport cannot be accepted or condoned. We are talking about an animal which does not drug itself to achieve greatness, even if athletes sometimes do so. The trainers are culpable. The governing structures and regulations in place are questionable. What is being done to bring them up to standard? We can talk about the Australian standard or any other standard but our nearest neighbour, England, has questions about the greyhounds being purchased or raced. I refer to a recent case where a very famous jockey was part of a syndicate which owned a dog which also tested positive in England. Such instances are having a negative effect on the Irish greyhound industry. What is being done to rectify that?

I have a question for the chief executive and the chairman. How often has the control committee of the IGB increased the threshold for the drug Stanozolol?. Has any such increase been recorded by the control committee?