Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to turn off their mobile telephones. I welcome the representatives of Horse Sport Ireland: Professor Patrick Wall, chairman; Mr. Damian McDonald, CEO; Mr. James Kennedy, chairman of the finance committee; and Mr. Mark Bolger, finance director. I also welcome the representatives of the Irish Bookmakers' Association: Ms Sharon Byrne, chairperson and Mr. Paul Tully, director of Tully’s Bookmakers. I thank the witnesses for appearing before the joint committee today.

The committee appreciates that as one of the leading producers of thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred horses, the horse industry has a very positive impact on the economy of rural Ireland. We have taken part in the pre-legislative scrutiny process on the Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill. As part of that process we undertook to examine the wider horse industry in Ireland whereby a policy can be optimised to develop the sector in future.

This is our first meeting in that regard. Next week we will be meeting the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, local authority representatives and the ISPCA.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I propose to take opening statements from Horse Sport Ireland followed by Ms Byrne from the Irish Bookmakers Association. Professor Wall will introduce his colleagues and then hand over to Mr. McDonald to make the opening statement.